Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam has warned police personnel to remain vigilant to ensure that no innocent person is harassed through unwarranted cases.
“No innocent person should be harassed,” he said on Monday during a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy, organised in connection with Police Week.
“We are aware that since 5 August, a certain group has been including numerous innocent people as accused alongside the main accused with the intention of harassment,” he added.
The police chief said that instructions had been given to police officers at all levels to properly investigate cases filed after 5 August.
In response to a question about false cases against journalists and others, he said the number of educated people has increased, with many now drafting their own complaints and bringing them to the police.
“At that point, we are obliged to register them as cases. We do not have the opportunity to verify their authenticity immediately,” he said.
Baharul Alam explained that it is during the investigation process that the police determine how much of the complaint is true or false, and only the true elements are submitted to the court.
He further informed that around 1,500 cases had been filed related to the incidents of July and August, of which approximately 600 are murder cases. Cases are still being filed — as recently as Sunday.
Over the past eight months, no murder investigation has been concluded; however, the Metropolitan Police (DMP) has completed investigations into two attempted murder cases.
The IGP noted that purposeful false accusations were being made against individuals. He stated that the police were carefully verifying each case to ensure that no innocent person would be punished.
Investigating officers were working diligently, and the investigations were being continuously supervised. He also explained that murder investigations generally take time to complete.
He pointed out that, in some cases, plaintiffs were withdrawing complaints against accused individuals in court in exchange for money. However, he emphasised that such actions had no impact on police investigations.
Addressing a separate question, IGP Baharul Alam mentioned that if the long-anticipated Independent Police Commission was not implemented during the tenure of the current government, it was unlikely to happen in the future.
Speaking on other challenges, he said that the police were confronting flash protests and threats made via social media.
Those involved in acts of mob justice would face trial, and any police personnel found negligent in handling such incidents would also be held accountable.
The IGP further mentioned that although 405 police vehicles had been damaged during the protests, not a single one had yet been replaced. However, the procurement process for 200 new vehicles was currently underway.