Concerns are mounting over the indiscriminate filing of cases related to casualties from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, with many cases failing to identify the real perpetrators.
Exploiting this situation, certain groups are reportedly filing cases to extort money, primarily targeting prominent business figures. Allegedly, these groups demand large sums to avoid implicating individuals in the cases, with those refusing to comply facing multiple cases.
The issue is not limited to businessmen—teachers, journalists, and even celebrities are also falling victim. Allegations suggest that some individuals are being dragged into cases due to political rivalry or personal vendettas. In many cases, complainants and the accused do not even know each other, and hundreds of individuals from outside Dhaka have been named in cases linked to incidents within the capital.
Prominent lawyer ZI Khan Panna voiced his concern, saying, "Such questionable cases hinder real victims from receiving justice and allow real culprits to evade punishment."
He further emphasised that these cases appear fabricated, aimed solely at harassing individuals. “A hundred people from Rangpur wouldn't come to Dhaka to commit murder, especially when deaths occurred due to police gunfire. These cases are scripted, circulated among police stations, and businessmen are being harassed,” he added.
Recently, a lawyer allegedly demanded Tk3 crore from a well-known business group’s chairman and several officials. After their refusal to pay, a murder case was filed against them, followed by another case when more money was demanded. This incident is one of many similar schemes emerging across Dhaka and other parts of the country.
Police officials, aware of these fraudulent activities, have received several complaints, and the Ministry of Home Affairs has been informed.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Mainul Hasan said, “We are vigilant against fraudsters exploiting lawsuits for monetary gain. Investigations are underway, and arrests will be made only after thorough inquiries.”
The surge in filing cases is unprecedented in Bangladesh's history. Since the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August due to the student-people uprising, over 500 murder cases have been filed across the country, most strikingly similar in content, with prominent political leaders and police officials listed as the accused. Allegedly, many of these cases are politically motivated or filed by fraudsters taking advantage of the current climate to extort money from the wealthy.
Law enforcement agencies have issued special instructions to ensure that innocent individuals and businessmen are not harassed. Police units across the country are now working to identify those involved in filing false cases. While investigations continue, many innocent people are being caught up in police operations, with reports of arrests being made in exchange for bribes.
Several victims, including non-political businessmen, have raised concerns about being unfairly named in cases. They claim that rival groups have exploited the legal system to target them, causing widespread fear and uncertainty, particularly in Dhaka. Many innocent people are being arrested, while others are living in fear, their names being dragged through the mud as part of these extortion schemes.
A senior police officer said, "We are ensuring that innocent businessmen and citizens are not harassed, and those found to have no involvement will be excluded from the charge sheets."
Advisers and politicians weigh in on the indiscriminate case-filing
Several interim government advisers and politicians have recently spoken out about the indiscriminate filing of cases. On 21 September, at an address to lower court judges at the Supreme Court's Inner Garden, Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul said, "The interim government does not support the harassment of people through fabricated cases. We must break free from the culture of indiscriminate cases that harass citizens. Judges must ensure that people are not unnecessarily harassed."
On 20 September, at a flood relief distribution event at Bangakha High School in Lakshmipur Sadar Upazila, Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, Nahid Islam, said, "Many of the cases filed across the country are not actually acceptable. We have called for the police administration to take swift action and arrest the accused based on specific allegations."
On 28 August, at a press conference held at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka, the party’s Secretary General, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, said, "Cases are being filed indiscriminately. I urge the law enforcement agencies to conduct a preliminary investigation before registering any case."
Source: Desh Rupantor
