The case is one of the few incidents that have been at the top of the discussion in the first 100 days of the interim government. Most of the accused do not know anything about the killings in the July-August uprising across the country.
The plaintiff does not know the defendant, the defendant does not know the plaintiff. In some cases, the plaintiff himself did not know anything about the incident. It has also been alleged that the plaintiff has been forced to file a case against hundreds of people, sometimes showing the temptation of money.
As, most of the martyred in the July uprising from Jatrabari Thana, so most of the cases against Bangladesh Awami League (AL) have been filed in Jatrabari Thana. Police have been in a huge reshuffle, so they do not have enough sourcing as most police are in new areas. In this chance, many so-called 'journalists' try to make a trade to pick names in cases and cut off the names from cases.
Jatrabari Thana police also in lack of manpower, they tried to arrest Kazi Anis, a listed terrorist, son of Syeed Kazi from Mirhazirbag, but AL people kept him from the Police.
It has also been alleged that many people are being accused of pre-existing enmity, punishing political opponents, and extortion and harassment. The plaintiff has no control over who is to be made a defendant in the case; Control is in the hands of others. During the previous AL government, police and AL leaders used to file false cases against BNP and Jamaat leaders and opponents of the government.
The government and the leaders of the anti-discrimination movement have repeatedly said that no innocent people should be harassed in these cases, no one should be arrested if the truth is not found in the primary investigation. But the reality is that many people have been arrested in these cases or are still being arrested. Although there is no remote connection with the incident, many innocent people are fleeing their homes fearing arrest.
Newly-appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam on Saturday said “the cases filed after August 5 should be properly investigated. No innocent people can be harassed, no policeman will be victimized unnecessarily. Even if a case is filed in the name of an innocent person, steps should be taken to withdraw it through proper legal process.”
It has been alleged that in some cases, the targeted person was extorted before filing the case. If the donation is not paid, the accused has been made in the case, and if the donation is not made, the accused has not been made. Again, after the case, lakhs of taka were taken to remove the names from the list of accused, or are still being taken. In some places, many houses, lands, plots, shops and business establishments have also been occupied. Goods were looted. Businesses were set on fire. On the contrary, cases have been filed against those whose institutions have been looted or occupied.
Sargis Alam, general secretary of the July Shaheed Smriti Foundation, has already said more than once that they have received many complaints of doing business with false cases. He also warned that lawsuits cannot be traded.
Home Advisor Lt. Gen. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (retd) said at a view exchange meeting with journalists in Chittagong on November 19, "Earlier, police used to file fake cases. Now it's the public. Most of the cases are false. Earlier, there were 10 names and 50 anonymous accused in fake cases filed by the police. Now the public is giving 10 names, 50 fake names. The cases were not filed by police, RAB or Ansar. The people give. We are taking measures so that no one is harassed in the investigation.”
A victim of the capital's Shyampur-Kadamtali area said that his Kadamtali Steel Mill and Warehouse in front of Lal Masjid in the area were vandalized and set on fire since the afternoon of August 5. They also looted 100 tonnes of rods and iron ore from the steel mill with the help of bulldozer. Whose market value is about Tk 15 crore. The miscreants also took away electric motors and various parts from there. The victim alleged that his two-storey house in Shyampur was vandalised. Another nine-storey building and a shoe factory were also burnt and looted. The electrical sub-station was burnt. Nine air-conditioners (ACs), 20 computers, chairs, tables, beds were all taken away from the office.
This businessman has lost everything - his property, business, and home. The criminals have not only threatened him, but have also filed five cases against his brother. Fearing arrest, this entrepreneur has now left his house and is fleeing.
On August 5th, through a series of changes in leadership, Tanvir Ahmed Robin, the son of former local Awami League parliament member Salahuddin Ahmed, took control of the Shyampur-Kadamtali area using methods such as extortion, arson, and looting. During the time of the fallen Awami League government, Robin had allied with many in the area who were involved in drug trafficking and regularly collected bribes. He has also influenced local Awami League committee members to maintain control over the flow of funds and donations. Additionally, he has placed Awami League supporters in various local educational institutions and even taken over the Saidabad bus terminal. Allegations have also arisen that Robin forcibly occupied the house of a deceased local student leader during an anti-discrimination movement. Shah Alam, a senior member of Robin's local labor union, has forcefully taken over multiple plots in the area, as captured in videos circulating among the residents. Local leaders of the anti-discrimination movement have expressed their concerns on Facebook. The Chormonai Peer's party of the Islamic movement has also raised allegations of forced occupation and bribery in the area. Despite multiple attempts to contact Robin for clarification on these allegations, he remains unavailable in phone.
Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to the chief adviser, said in response to a question about the case at a press briefing a few days ago, it is the right of the victim to file a case. However, no case should be filed against those against whom there is no evidence. The police have been ordered to cancel the names of those against whom there is no evidence.
On November 19, Law Adviser Prof Asif Nazrul said at a press briefing at his ministry that they are considering whether a committee can be formed at the district level with DC, SP and District Legal Aid Officers to prevent harassment cases. This committee will verify the case before filing a first information report (FIR). "Those who are filing harassing, false and commercial cases, some are even threatened that if they do not pay money, they will be sued. You (harassment litigants) remember that if I am in this ministry, I will find out the law on how to punish you.”
ZH
