April 24, 2013 — a date forever etched in Bangladesh’s memory. On this day twelve years ago, the nine-story Rana Plaza building in Savar collapsed, killing 1,134 people and injuring more than 2,000—mostly garment workers.
Today, even after a full decade, many families still wait for answers. Loved ones remain missing, wounds—both physical and emotional—remain unhealed, and justice remains frustratingly out of reach.
Two Cases, Little Progress
Following the collapse, two cases were filed: one for murder and another under building construction laws. But despite the gravity of the incident, the judicial process has dragged on for over a decade.
In the murder case, only 83 out of 594 witnesses have testified so far. The trial, which began years after the charges were filed, continues at a snail’s pace. The last hearing on April 21 saw four witnesses testify, with the next hearing scheduled for April 28.
The second case—under building code violations—remains completely stalled due to a stay order from the High Court. No witness testimony has even begun, eight years after charges were framed.
Sohel Rana: A Decade in Jail Without Verdict
Sohel Rana, the owner of the collapsed building, has been behind bars for 12 years. His legal team claims he is being held without justice, arguing that the real owner was his deceased father, Abdul Khalek. They insist Rana had little to no direct responsibility, and warn: “If he’s eventually acquitted, who will return the 12 years of his life lost in prison?”
Meanwhile, state prosecutors say the cases were delayed because of legal challenges from the accused. Now that many of those hurdles have been cleared, they hope the trial can proceed swiftly.
A Nation Still in Mourning
The passage of time has not dulled the pain. Many families still don’t know what happened to their loved ones. Survivors live with trauma, permanent injuries, and the haunting memories of that day.
The Rana Plaza collapse was not merely an accident—it was the result of gross negligence and systemic failure. And yet, the wheels of justice continue to turn far too slowly.
