Many cases being filed for personal gains
The current process for filing complaints at a police station does not allow officers to initially authenticate the claims. As a result, this system is exploited, leading to the filing of many cases intended for personal or financial gain, revenge, or harassment against others.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam and Law adviser Dr Asif Nazrul made such remarks at separate events yesterday, days after a murder case was registered against Sheikh Hasina and some 407 others, including an actor, doctors, journalists and lawyers, over the killing of BNP activist Mahfuz Alam Shraban in the capital's Mirpur during last year's mass uprising.
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Both the adviser and the police chief said law enforcers have been instructed not to harass or arrest any innocent people implicated in those cases.
"Nowadays, people write their complaints themselves and bring them in. The police must register these as cases. It does not matter if they are true or false, there is no scope for verification," the IGP said during a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy yesterday, marking the first day of the four-day Police Week.
"Later, investigations determine how much of the allegation is true and how much is false. We extract the truth through investigation and submit it to the court," he added.
The IGP further said, "Often, we are faced with unreasonable demands. Requests come in to detain someone, to release someone, to award someone."
He requested that "as far as possible, fewer unreasonable demands" be made to him.
However, Baharul Alam did not specify who makes such demands.
Referring to the situation after August 5 last year, the IGP said, "Since then, many have filed cases with dishonest intentions to extort money from people or to harass them. Perhaps 5–10 people committed the crime, but cases were filed naming another 300 individuals. Even yesterday, such a case was filed."
Instructions have already been issued to ensure that no one is arrested in a harassing manner. Only those against whom allegations are found to be true during the investigation will be arrested, he added.
Meanwhile, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul, at a press briefing held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium yesterday, said that there is a directive in place stating no one should be arrested if a complaint lacks objectivity.
Speaking about the recent case filed against over 400 accused, including actor Iresh Zaker, the adviser said, "There is no restriction under Bangladeshi law on filing cases. People are filing cases as they wish. Many of these cases are harassing and malicious. Cases are being filed to grab land, property, and businesses. This is extremely unfortunate and regrettable."
"Once a case is filed, we try to provide redress through the police and court administration. When too many people are implicated, it becomes difficult for us to manage. However, we cannot prevent people from filing cases," he added.
"You [reporters] have seen; the home ministry has repeatedly said that if a complaint lacks objectivity, no one should be arrested," he said.
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