Dhaka, May 7: The Awami League of Bangladesh has expressed serious concerns regarding the rising number of ‘false and baseless’ cases against ordinary citizens across the country. The party stated that individuals who have been granted bail are facing persistent challenges in securing their release.
In a post on social media platform X, the Awami League remarked, “These cases have become a dangerous trap for the common people. On one hand, there are allegations of false cases being filed, and on the other, individuals are struggling to be released even after receiving bail. While bail may be granted on paper, the actual release is hindered by a ‘five-tier invisible approval’ system within the police and financial games.”
The party cited its investigation, revealing evidence of delays in release despite bail in at least 20 cases registered at various police stations in Dhaka.
According to the Awami League, the law mandates that bail granted by the court should be implemented immediately. However, a lengthy process begins once the order reaches the administration.
The party stated, “Deliberate delays occur at every level, from the Deputy Commissioner to the Divisional Police Office, the Intelligence Branch, and the relevant police stations. Allegations suggest that money is demanded at each step.”
The Awami League also noted that in several instances, while families wait outside the jail, prisoners are suddenly re-arrested in connection with another case.
Quoting Dhaka Judge Court lawyer Farzana Yasmin Rakhi, the party mentioned, “In political or contentious cases, if the police station is not managed properly, release becomes very difficult. As soon as someone is about to be released in one case, their name is linked to another case at a nearby police station.”
The party asserted that the provision for an “interim report” in the country’s criminal procedure code, intended to protect innocent individuals from harassment, has now become a means of corruption.
The Awami League further alleged that investigating officers release influential individuals linked to protests in July 2024 for a fee, while the poor and innocent continue to suffer the most.
The party emphasized that legal experts consider bail a ‘constitutional right.’ However, when this right begins to be treated as a commodity at the administrative level, public trust in the justice system erodes. Immediate measures, such as digital tracking and accountability, are necessary to address this issue.
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