The interim government is taking steps to introduce new provisions to reduce false cases and wrongful arrests that have raised serious concerns across all levels of society, according to Professor Asif Nazrul, law adviser to the interim administration.
Speaking as the chief guest at a seminar held in Dhaka on Thursday, jointly organized by the Bangladesh Institute of Strategic Studies and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), he acknowledged the widespread distress caused by false and politically motivated cases.
“There is growing frustration,” said Nazrul. “People keep asking why I cannot stop these false cases. I ask them for suggestions — how can we prevent this?”
He revealed that draft provisions have been prepared to address this issue, although specific details were not disclosed. “We are developing legal measures to reduce such cases and arrests. These will be announced at the appropriate time,” he added.
Nazrul also disclosed that the government has recommended the withdrawal of nearly 12,000 politically motivated cases involving approximately 300,000 individuals, as part of its broader reform initiatives.
Focusing on judicial and law enforcement reform, the legal adviser noted that the government has identified three key priorities: ensuring fair trials, identifying causes of judicial deadlock, and reinforcing judicial accountability.
A final draft to amend the Code of Criminal Procedure has been prepared and is expected to be approved in the upcoming cabinet meeting. Changes are being made in line with directives from the higher courts, Nazrul stated.
He also mentioned ongoing discussions about allowing lawyers to be present during police interrogations, although some stakeholders have strongly objected, and current legal frameworks do not support the provision.
Highlighting the progress made by the interim government, he said reforms to the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act have already been enacted.
The government has also introduced measures to expedite case resolution and, for the first time, recognized the sexual abuse of boys as a punishable offense under the law.
Furthermore, the government is drafting a new law to align with the international convention against enforced disappearances.
During the second session of the seminar, senior lawyer and BLAST executive director Sara Hossain stressed the need for police and judicial cooperation to reduce the number of detainees held without trial. She pointed out that agencies often blame each other for inaction, noting, “The police say they can’t do anything because courts don’t grant bail, and the courts say they are under pressure.”
The event also featured speeches from Suruchi Pant, Deputy Regional Representative of UNODC, and Anna Jidisz, Team Leader at the same office.
The second session was moderated by Barrister Tanim Hossain Shawon, a member of the Judicial Reform Commission.
