The government has decided to withdraw more than 10,000 politically motivated cases filed against leaders and activists of BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and other opposition parties during Awami League tenure.

An official from the Law-1 Wing of the Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed the matter to a media. 

He said a total of 10,506 such cases across the country have been marked for withdrawal. The initiative was taken by the interim government to cancel what it calls harassment cases filed during a fascist period.

According to the ministry, these cases are being withdrawn through legal procedures. Letters have already been sent to all Deputy Commissioners, asking them to advise their respective district public prosecutors regarding the withdrawal process, with case numbers mentioned.

The ministry also directed district magistrates to inform relevant courts about the government’s decision under Section 494 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, not to proceed with the cases.

Sources from the Ministry of Home Affairs said two committees were formed under its Public Security Division to review and process the case withdrawals. One committee operates at the district level, headed by the Deputy Commissioner. Other members include the Additional Deputy Commissioner (as member secretary), the Superintendent of Police (or Deputy Commissioner of Police in metropolitan areas), and the Public Prosecutor (or Metropolitan Public Prosecutor in city areas). 

The second committee works at the ministry level.

MSK/