Dhaka, March 17 -- The trial of two cases -- one involving the gang-rape of a housewife at Sylhet's MC College dormitory and the other involving extortion and robbery charges -- will now proceed in the Speedy Trial Tribunal after a long delay.

The legal roadblock that had stalled the proceedings was lifted after the state withdrew its appeal against a High Court verdict on the matter.

On Monday, a three-member Appellate Division bench led by Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam approved the state's request to withdraw the leave-to-appeal petition.

Lawyer Abdul Qayum Liton, the plaintiff's counsel, said: "The trial had been halted for nearly three years due to the government's appeal against a High Court ruling. Now that the government has withdra...