Staff Correspondent

Since the July Revolution and the events of 5 August, a total of 2,500 cases of violence have been filed across the country. Ministers, Members of Parliament, bureaucrats, and various VIPs from the former Sheikh Hasina government have been named as defendants. Each case involves more than a hundred defendants, often with arbitrary names added. Outside of political VIPs, plaintiffs do not even recognise many of the accused. Using plaintiffs as a front, influential figures have allegedly initiated a widespread practice of VIP extortion. In a case filed with Gulshan Police Station, a demand of Tk6 crore was reportedly made to have three names removed from the list of accused.

Following the events of 5 August, members of the ruling Awami League and its affiliated organisations, bureaucrats, business leaders, and both current and former law enforcement officers were accused in various cases filed nationwide. Over the past three months, 110 VIPs, including 25 police officers, have been arrested. Approximately 15,000 others have also been detained, with reports indicating that the arrests have continued throughout November.

Sources said, among those named in these cases are former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed, senior Awami League leaders, and several law enforcement officers. Many have gone into hiding or fled the country to escape public outrage and legal repercussions. Among those remaining in the country, numerous VIPs and police personnel have been arrested.

Investigative officers have repeatedly interrogated those detained and have allegedly received admissions of severe misuse of state apparatus to suppress political opponents. In addition to murder cases, these detainees have reportedly provided information on various misconducts and corruption from the previous government. Meanwhile, law enforcement continues to search for numerous fugitive VIPs and leaders of the Awami League, with several cases filed against them across the country, including the capital, Dhaka.

It is also reported that many business figures and prominent individuals have been falsely implicated in these cases for financial gain or VIP extortion. Allegations have surfaced that large sums of money are being demanded through plaintiffs or intermediaries to remove names from cases. Victims have been paying significant amounts to avoid harassment, sometimes negotiating reduced payments. Those affected are urging authorities to identify and prosecute genuine offenders through evidence and video footage, ensuring that innocent people are not subjected to harassment.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam has instructed that all cases filed post-August 5 must be thoroughly investigated and has emphasised that no innocent individuals should be harassed.

He assured that wrongful cases would be withdrawn through proper legal procedures. Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Media Division Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman reaffirmed that clear directives are in place to only bring genuine offenders to justice, with no one being harassed unnecessarily.

The anti-discrimination student-public movement led to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government. In response to this movement, destructive attacks were launched nationwide against students and civilians. Heavily armed law enforcement personnel fired openly, resulting in numerous casualties.

According to the Central Health Subcommittee of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, approximately 1,581 people died, and over 31,000 were injured. Facing this uprising, Sheikh Hasina fled the country on August 5. Subsequently, multiple cases were filed against advisors, ministers, junior ministers, Members of Parliament, and law enforcement officers associated with the Awami League government.

Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police Headquarters, Enamul Haque Sagar, said that many cases have been filed nationwide in connection with the violence during the student-public movement. Arrests are ongoing based on specific information, including VIPs and police officers. The police remain vigilant in capturing those still at large.

Lieutenant Colonel Munim Ferdous, Director of the Legal and Media Division of RAB Headquarters, stated that joint operations are being conducted concerning these cases. Many, including VIPs, have already been arrested, and investigations are ongoing to apprehend those found culpable.