The government has begun withdrawing thousands of cases deemed politically motivated, in what officials describe as a major effort to address alleged legal harassment accumulated over nearly two decades of political rivalry.
A total of 23,865 cases have been recommended for withdrawal following a review process initiated during the tenure of the previous interim administration. The recommendations were formally approved at the 39th meeting of a review body held at the Ministry of Law on 8 February, before being forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs for implementation.
The process has already moved into its initial execution phase. The home ministry approved the withdrawal of 2,208 cases on Monday and Tuesday alone. Officials say the remaining cases, already recommended by the law ministry, will be withdrawn in phases.
Most of the cases were filed over 15 years of Awami League regime against leaders and activists of BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and their allied organisations. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the number could rise further as new applications continue to be submitted.
He said the review process was aimed at addressing harassment cases filed against political activists, journalists and members of various professions. However, he stressed that serious criminal offences — including murder, explosives, illegal weapons, narcotics, and cases involving violence against women and children — would remain outside the scope of withdrawal.
“We have reviewed cases filed against political workers, journalists and people from different walks of life,” he said on Tuesday. “But murder, explosives, weapons, narcotics, and violence against women and children cases are excluded.”
According to the home minister, the government has approved the withdrawal of 1,202 cases in the latest round, following an earlier approval of 1,006 cases shortly after he assumed office.
He also claimed that he himself had been named in multiple murder, explosives and weapons cases in the past for political reasons, underscoring what he described as the widespread use of legal proceedings as political tools.
Officials say safeguards are being developed to ensure the process is not abused. The home minister said authorities were considering forming an effective verification mechanism and committee to ensure only genuinely politically motivated cases were withdrawn.
Legal basis and review framework
The withdrawal process is being conducted under Section 494 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, which allows the government to withdraw prosecution with court consent.
Former Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said earlier that thousands of opposition activists had faced legal harassment during previous administrations. Many were forced to leave their homes, and some individuals faced dozens or even hundreds of cases.
He said the interim government had taken steps to withdraw such cases in accordance with the law. However, administrative delays at the district level had slowed implementation, prompting authorities to involve the solicitor’s office to accelerate the process.
Committees formed to examine cases
To oversee the review, the Public Security Division of the home ministry formed two committees on 22 September last year — one at the district level and another at the ministry level.
At the district level, the committee is chaired by the deputy commissioner or district magistrate. Its members include the additional district magistrate, the superintendent of police — or a deputy commissioner of police in metropolitan areas — and the public prosecutor.
Individuals seeking withdrawal of harassment cases were required to apply to the district committee by 31 December.
Once district committees submit recommendations, the ministry-level committee examines the cases, identifies those eligible for withdrawal, prepares lists, and oversees implementation. That committee is chaired by the law adviser.
However, officials said district administrations failed to submit lists within the original deadline. Some deputy commissioners began sending recommendations only after the deadline had passed, prompting authorities to extend the application period until further notice.
Officials from both the law and home ministries now hold weekly meetings to review progress and ensure coordination.
Direct applications allowed
In a public notice, the law ministry said individuals who had faced politically motivated cases filed between 6 January 2009 and 5 August 2024 could now apply directly for withdrawal.
Applications must be submitted to the solicitor of the Law and Justice Division, along with certified copies of the First Information Report (FIR) and, where applicable, the charge sheet.
Officials say the direct application process was introduced to ensure that victims of alleged legal harassment are able to access the review mechanism without administrative barriers.
Not the first such initiative
The withdrawal of politically motivated cases has precedent in Bangladesh’s political history.
During its time in power, Awami League government also withdrew thousands of cases filed against its leaders and activists during the previous BNP administration, reflecting a pattern in which successive governments have sought to reverse legal actions taken under their predecessors.
