Dhaka, May 7: The Awami League of Bangladesh has expressed serious concerns regarding the increasing number of ‘false and baseless’ cases against ordinary citizens across the country. The party highlighted that individuals granted bail are facing persistent challenges in securing their release from custody.
In a post on social media platform X, the Awami League stated, “These cases have now 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 encountering significant difficulties in being released even after receiving bail. While bail may be granted on paper, the actual release is stalled due to a ‘five-tier invisible approval’ system within the police and corruption.”
The party referenced its investigation, revealing evidence of delays in release despite bail being granted in at least 20 cases registered at various police stations in Dhaka.
According to the Awami League, the law mandates that bail should be implemented immediately after being granted by the court. However, a lengthy process begins once the order reaches the administration.
The party claimed, “Delays are deliberately caused at every level, from the Deputy Commissioner to the Divisional Police Office, Intelligence Branch, and the respective police stations. Allegations have surfaced that money is demanded at every step.”
Furthermore, the Awami League noted that in several instances, while families wait outside the jail for their loved ones, prisoners are suddenly re-arrested in connection with another case.
Citing lawyer Farzana Yasmin Rakhi from the Dhaka Judge Court, the party stated, “If the police station is not managed in political or controversial cases, release becomes very difficult. As soon as someone is about to be released in one case, their name is linked to another case in a nearby police station.”
The party also pointed out 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 accused investigating officers of releasing influential individuals connected to protests in July 2024 for money, while the poor and innocent 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.
Deependra Singh Chundawat is a Senior Sub-Editor at Udaipur Kiran, specializing in a wide range of technology topics including mobile phones, applications, gaming, PCs, and wearables. Along with covering the latest tech news, he also creates engaging web stories. Passionate about emerging technologies, he stays up to date with the newest trends and enjoys reading and writing about the latest mobile launches and digital innovations.
