80 cases have been filed in connection with alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising, with verdicts delivered in seven cases so far, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Khan told Parliament on Sunday.
Responding to a written question from Netrokona-5 lawmaker Masum Mostafa, the minister said proceedings in the remaining 73 cases are currently underway at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT).
He said that 463 individuals have been accused in the cases.
Of them, 174 have been arrested while 288 remain absconding.
One accused has died and another has been acquitted.
According to the minister, 59 accused have been convicted in the seven concluded cases, including 13 who were sentenced to death. Others received life imprisonment or different terms of imprisonment.
The cases are being tried by the International Crimes Tribunal (Bangladesh).
Among the pending cases, 22 are at the stage of witness testimony, while 51 remain under investigation, he added.
No plan for High Court benches outside Dhaka
The law minister also informed Parliament that there is no plan to establish permanent High Court benches in the country’s divisions.
He said Article 100 of the Constitution designates Dhaka as the permanent seat of the Supreme Court, although the chief justice, with presidential approval, may arrange High Court sittings in other locations if necessary.
Referring to the Appellate Division verdict in the “Anwar Hossain Chowdhury vs Bangladesh” case, he said the establishment of permanent High Court benches outside Dhaka was declared inconsistent with the Constitution’s basic structure.
Expansion of legal aid services
The minister further said the government has upgraded the National Legal Aid Services Organisation into the Directorate of Bangladesh Legal Aid through the enactment of the “Legal Aid Services (Amendment) Act, 2026” on 9 April.
He said the move will facilitate expansion of branch offices outside Dhaka and strengthen access to legal services from metropolitan to union level, along with increased manpower.
Panel lawyers’ fees have already been raised by 30 per cent to encourage greater participation, he added, with further revisions under consideration.
To enhance public awareness, the government is implementing a joint digital legal aid initiative with UNDP, alongside outreach activities such as courtyard meetings, public hearings, street theatre, seminars, leaflet distribution and school-based programmes.
The minister also noted challenges in integrating NGO-based digital legal aid platforms, citing issues related to data sharing and privacy, but said efforts are underway to develop a unified and secure digital system.
