In Pallabi, Dhaka, a tragic incident unfolded on May 19 when an eight-year-old girl was raped and murdered in a nearby apartment. Her body was dismembered in an effort to cover up the heinous crime. The extreme brutality of the act shocked the nation, but what struck a more painful chord was the father’s response. Abdul Hannan Molla, addressing the media, expressed a lack of faith in the justice system, stating, “I don’t want justice because you cannot deliver it. You have no record of delivering justice.” He foresaw that the public outcry over his daughter’s death would fade within a mere 15 days.
Such sentiments are sadly becoming commonplace among families of murder victims, survivors of rape, and parents of abused children. Many no longer have confidence in the ability of law enforcement, courts, prosecutors, or political figures to provide protection or bring perpetrators to justice. Some openly admit to entrusting justice to a higher power due to feeling let down by the state. This erosion of trust poses a significant institutional crisis in Bangladesh.
The concerning statistics shed light on the situation. In the first four months of this year, over 1,142 murder cases were reported, showing an increase from 1,017 cases in 2025 and 1,006 cases in 2024. The numbers spiked from 250 in February to 317 in March before slightly dropping to 288 in April. During the same period, at least 115 children lost their lives, with 12 cases involving alleged rape or attempted rape, 59 from torture, and 20 from being missing, as reported by rights group Ain o Salish Kendra.
Despite the high number of cases, the criminal justice system in the country is overwhelmed with a massive backlog. Over 45 lakh cases were pending as of June last year, later escalating to over 47 lakh, with lower courts carrying more than 40 lakh cases. Trials drag on for years, witnesses vanish, and victims deplete their resources attending hearings that are frequently postponed. Conviction rates in cases of rape and violence remain alarmingly low. Recent police data revealed conviction rates of only 2.61 percent in violence against women cases and 0.52 percent in children-related cases in the first eight months of last year, significantly below the overall criminal conviction rate of around 28 percent. A collaborative study by the Supreme Court and BRAC found that 15 districts had zero convictions between January and June last year.
Despite thousands of rape and murder cases being filed annually, only a fraction result in convictions. Many of the accused quickly obtain bail, particularly if they have financial means or political connections. In contrast, victims, their families, and witnesses face intimidation, societal pressure, and financial ruin. Some are forced to abandon their pursuit of justice due to insurmountable obstacles.
The breakdown extends throughout the justice system. Bangladesh lacks a comprehensive law for the protection of victims and witnesses. Impoverished individuals, especially daily wage earners or working-class families, struggle to afford repeated court appearances, lose wages, and endure years of legal uncertainty. In some instances, local power brokers discourage them from seeking justice. Police investigations are often inadequate, under-resourced, or susceptible to external influences. Forensic capabilities are limited, leading to delays becoming routine. Consequently, Bangladesh ranks 125th out of 143 countries in the 2025 World Justice Project Rule of Law Index.
However, the impact transcends mere statistics and delves into emotional turmoil. Many families experience deepening trauma as they realize the state may never provide meaningful responses. Endless court proceedings drain finances, energy, and mental well-being, leading some to believe that seeking justice only prolongs their suffering. Communities also internalize the message. When influential suspects evade consequences repeatedly while ordinary victims endure prolonged struggles, people begin perceiving the system as biased rather than reliable.
In such an environment, informal methods replace formal justice mechanisms. Village arbitrations, political interventions, personal connections, and societal pressures fill the void left by weak institutions. This can result in quiet settlements, intimidation, or even a call for extrajudicial measures. The support for shortcuts like “crossfire” partly stems from frustration with a judicial system perceived as sluggish, biased, and inaccessible. When faith in courts wanes, harsh alternatives seem appealing. With weakened due process, abuse becomes more prevalent, not less.
The deeper crisis lies in the impact on the citizen-state relationship. A functional state relies not only on laws but on the belief that institutions will safeguard the vulnerable, punish wrongdoers, and treat citizens fairly, regardless of their status. When that belief erodes, cynicism takes over, leading to disengagement and a shift where public outrage becomes transient rather than a catalyst for lasting reform. Sensational crimes dominate headlines briefly before fading into collective apathy, as few anticipate genuine resolutions.
Experts in criminology and law argue that the country’s justice system
