The Advisor Council has passed an amendment to the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act on Thursday, setting a maximum sentence of seven years for cases involving rape under the pretense of marriage.

During a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy on Bailey Road in the capital, the Chief Advisor’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, provided details regarding the amendment.

He stated that changes had been introduced concerning cases of sexual assault and rape committed under the false promise of marriage.

"This will still fall under the jurisdiction of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, but it will be handled under a separate section. While it is not classified as a distinct crime, it will be prosecuted separately within the same legal framework," Shafiqul Alam explained. "In such cases, an independent lawsuit will be filed, with a maximum penalty of seven years."

Also present at the briefing were the Chief Advisor’s Deputy Press Secretaries, Abul Kalam Azad Mazumdar and Apurba Jahangir.