False cases must not undermine justice

A report published in Prothom Alo has once again exposed the existence of arbitrary and harassing cases filed in connection with the July uprising killings. An investigation into 100 such cases has revealed that, alongside political leaders and activists, many ordinary citizens were also indiscriminately named as accused. These accusations were often driven by ulterior motives, ranging from property disputes and business rivalries to extortion and personal vendettas. Reports also suggest that some political activists, dishonest lawyers, police personnel, and case-filing syndicates may have been involved in inserting the names of innocent people, which is deeply worrying.

Take, for instance, the case of businessman Ismail Hossain Pradhania. Arrested from a hospital shortly after the birth of his daughter on May 5, 2025, he was accused of involvement in a murder linked to the uprising. Police statements even identified him as a leader of Jubo League—a claim that was later proved baseless. His name, as it transpired, had been inserted in some cases due to a dispute over control of a shopping complex and an apartment building. The fact that he was shown arrested in a new case immediately after obtaining bail in another raises serious questions about due process. Overall, Pradhania spent 109 days in jail before securing bail finally.

In 32 cases, as per investigations, plaintiffs themselves admitted that they had included the names of people they did not even know, saying the lists were supplied by others. There were also instances where the same incident led to multiple cases in different police stations, and in two cases, three deceased individuals were listed as accused. Applications have reportedly been filed in at least 47 cases seeking to remove more than 600 names from the lists of accused. Allegations have also surfaced that money ranging from Tk 20,000 to Tk 400,000 was exchanged in connection with removing names or securing relief from such cases. This is deeply concerning.

We therefore urge the new government to ensure that every case related to the July uprising is carefully reviewed to determine its credibility. According to police sources, a total of 1,841 cases have been filed, including 791 murder cases, in connection with the uprising. However, among the murder cases, charge sheets have been submitted in only 46 so far. The process therefore must be expedited to ensure justice for the victims. While individuals against whom there is no evidence should be cleared without delay, those responsible for filing or facilitating false cases must be held accountable. Justice for the victims of the uprising cannot be ensured if the legal system is misused to pursue personal vendettas or financial gain.