TDS Desk:

In the aftermath of the July–August uprising, numerous cases have been lodged in Dhaka and across the country’s police stations and courts. Many of these cases appear to stem from personal grudges, extortion attempts, or entirely baseless accusations.

Reports suggest that large amounts of money have been extorted from the accused. Not only leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliated bodies but also many innocent individuals have been named in these cases. Several prominent business figures were allegedly targeted and falsely charged after refusing to pay substantial sums. The situation has drawn widespread criticism and debate both domestically and internationally.

Government officials have stated that action will be taken against those who filed false cases, and criminal charges will be brought against them. Several police units are investigating to

Identify the complainants who filed such false cases. Initially, 67 complainants have been identified. The Police Headquarters has reportedly sent a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs requesting action against them. To protect people from such fabricated cases, the government has amended the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam said, “Under Section 173 of the CrPC, the government has already exonerated 136 people from charges. Another 236 applications are under consideration.

Anyone harassed through false cases will be dealt with accordingly — actions have already begun. We are also identifying the genuine accused. If any investigating officer or other individual attempts to profit from case manipulation, legal action will be taken against them as well.”

Regarding police involvement, the IGP said, “There are good and bad people everywhere — no one is an angel. If any police officer is found involved, we will take strict action. Ordinary people are already suffering from false cases. If the police themselves get involved, where will people go for justice?”

1,760 CASES ACROSS THE COUNTRY

According to officials, a total of 1,760 cases have been filed nationwide, including Dhaka, following the anti-discrimination movement. Of these, 766 are murder cases and 974 fall under other charges.

Charge sheets have been submitted in 55 cases. In 18 murder cases, a total of 1,941 people have been accused, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and top Awami League leaders.

Additionally, in 37 other cases, charge sheets have been filed against 2,185 accused individuals. THE 18 MURDER CASES WERE FILED IN Dhaka, Chattogram, Sherpur, Feni, Chandpur, Noakhali, Pabna, Kurigram, Bogura, and Rajshahi Metropolitan areas.

THE OTHER 37 CASES OF VARIOUS CHARGES ARE IN Bogura, Chapainawabganj, Sirajganj, Naogaon, Mymensingh, Rajshahi, Narsingdi, and Barguna. Both senior and junior officers are investigating and monitoring these cases.

COLLUSION BETWEEN COMPLAINANTS AND POLICE

Allegations have surfaced that targeted and harassing cases are still being filed in various ways. Field-level police, in collusion with complainants, are pressuring and exploiting accused individuals. There are reports of BNP leaders being falsely identified as Jubo League activists, government and private officials being targeted, and case threats being used for extortion.

Innocent people are being forced to pay large sums to avoid harassment. The Police Headquarters has stated that any police officers involved in false cases will face disciplinary action.

BUSINESSPEOPLE IMPLICATED

Top business figures have been accused after refusing to pay extortion money. Before including their names in case documents, large sums were demanded. For example, a lawyer claiming to represent an industrial group demanded Tk 30 million (3 crore) from the chairman and several officials.

When negotiations failed, three separate cases were filed in different police stations. The owner of the industrial firm had no political affiliation, yet fell victim to fraudsters. Such scams have cost businesspeople crores of taka. Many now fear staying at their homes, and even those who had no political alignment with the previous government are facing harassment.

A senior Police Headquarters official, “These fraudsters maintain close ties with political leaders and operate jointly. All unit chiefs and district superintendents have been directed to bring them under the law. Many complainants who filed false cases will surely face consequences. Many innocent individuals have also been accused. We’re being cautious to ensure the innocent do not suffer.”

67 Complainants Under Investigation

Police sources said that on 5 August last year, a woman named Kulsum Begum filed a case at Ashulia Police Station claiming her husband, Al-Amin, had died. But a police investigation confirmed Al-Amin was alive. She had filed the case at the instigation of an influential political figure.

Police also learned that Kulsum had taken money from some people in exchange for removing names from the case. The investigation proved the case was fabricated, and disciplinary action has been recommended against her, though she remains untraceable.

A similar incident occurred in Sunamganj. On 4 August last year, a man named Zahur Ali was shot and injured in Sunamganj town. A month later, his brother, Hafiz Ahmed, filed a case. Zahur later alleged that arrests and releases in connection with the case had turned into a business.

On his Facebook page, Zahur wrote, “It was the police who shot me. I wanted to file a case against them, but they included everyone else instead. Now it’s become a business — a group is making crores. Police arrest those not even named in the case. People think I’m taking money, but that’s false. We are poor and in great trouble.”

Police could not verify Zahur’s claims but recommended action against the complainant.

On 19 July last year, a car driver named Mohammad Asadullah was killed during student protests in Uttara. His mother filed a case, but the investigation revealed it was influenced by a political leader. The accused were not present during the incident. Asadullah’s wife, Farzana, told police, “We know nothing about the case. We have no control over it. Those who arranged it know what’s happening.”

Police discovered that in this case, a newspaper vendor named Rustam Ali was falsely identified as a Hazaribagh Thana Awami League vice president and made an accused, though he had no political involvement. He was arrested and jailed for several months before being released on bail.

On 15 August, rickshaw-puller Azizur Rahman was detained at Dhanmondi 32 while paying tribute to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He was beaten, and his flowers were snatched away. Instead of taking action against the assailants, police arrested Azizur in a murder attempt case related to the July–August events.

Following public outrage, a court granted him bail on 17 August. The complainant in the case, college student Ariful Islam, told investigators that he had not filed the case himself — a local political leader known as “Moni Chairman” had taken his signature on a blank paper, promising financial aid, and later used it to file the case.

In Kishoreganj’s Karimganj Upazila, several family members of local BNP leader Rocky Bhuiyan were accused in a July murder case due to old enmities. He told police that his entire family is involved in BNP politics, and the charges were politically motivated.

FALSE CASES FILED WITH INCENTIVES

Investigators believe that unscrupulous groups have filed fake cases by luring families of victims of the July violence with promises of compensation or legal aid. Senior officials from Police Headquarters and CID, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “Several murder cases were filed by showing living persons as deceased. Disciplinary actions against such complainants are being initiated. Many filed cases in exchange for money or political advantage. Some complainants even collected huge compensation payments. Local influential figures, political leaders, and opportunists are also involved.”

POLICE EXPLOITING THE SITUATION

There are allegations that police officers are extorting money by threatening innocent people with false charges or promising to remove their names from case lists. Police Headquarters has started taking action against those involved and ordered that criminal cases be filed against false complainants for extortion. A senior officer said, “We have received multiple complaints against police officers and constables. Investigations are underway. No one will be spared.”

AMENDMENT TO THE CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

Amid growing criticism, the interim government amended the Code of Criminal Procedure to protect individuals from false cases. The amendment authorizes the Police Commissioner or the Superintendent of Police (SP) — or an equivalent officer — to instruct investigating officers to submit a preliminary report to a magistrate if deemed appropriate. Based on that report, the magistrate can release individuals proven innocent or against whom no evidence exists — even before the trial begins.