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Published : 28 Apr 2025, 09:24 PM
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam says police are “legally bound” to accept cases with large numbers of accused following a sharp rise in such complaints after the shift in Bangladesh’s political landscape.
Speaking at a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka ahead of Police Week on Monday, Baharul addressed growing concerns over mass-defendant cases, many allegedly used for extortion and intimidation.
He advised those wrongfully implicated to avoid falling into complainants’ traps and instead seek police assistance.
He was asked whether police were aware of a nationwide surge in cases where not only political leaders but also people from different walks of life were being implicated, amid allegations that a clique was extorting money by instilling fear of these cases.
Asked what actions were being taken, especially since many of these cases had already been deemed as false by police.
“Some time ago, [officers-in-charge] at the police stations used to listen to the complaints, write them down, and take signatures,” said Baharul.
“This used to happen in the past, during the Pakistan era or even before. But now, since literacy rates have increased, people bring written complaints themselves.
“When a complainant brings in a written statement, under the law we cannot go beyond that. We are obliged to register it as a case.
He added, “Whether it is true or false — we have no opportunity to verify that at the filing stage. Whatever the complainant submits, we must accept exactly that as a case.
“Only during the investigation can we determine how much of it is true or false.”
The police chief said after Aug 5, many cases had been filed with “the intent of extorting money and instilling fear”.
“Perhaps the crime was done by five or 10 people, but the cases include names of 300 others. One such case was filed [on Sunday].”
Addressing concerns about innocent people being wrongfully arrested, Baharul said: "I can assure everyone that we, from the beginning, have received instructions from the home ministry to ensure that no innocent person is arrested or harassed.
“We will seek arrest warrants only for those found responsible during the investigation.”
He added that such cases should not be labelled as “false cases” outright. “What you’re referring to as false cases are not entirely false. The cases are true, but the number of accused has been exaggerated.
“We are unable to prevent this. This is a limitation within the law.”
Since the fall of the Awami League government, numerous allegations of “lawsuit trading” have surfaced, with reports claiming that after being named in cases, people were forced to pay money to the complainant in exchange for an affidavit declaring their innocence.
Another journalist asked: “You [the IGP] are saying you are obliged to accept these cases. But in cases with hundreds of defendants — most of whom, you admit, are innocent — no chargesheets have yet been filed. What will happen to these innocent people? What action will be taken against the plaintiffs?
On what will happen to the innocent named in cases or plaintiffs who brought charges against them, the police chief said: “We can certainly lodge complaints against the plaintiffs with the court — but only after completing our investigations. And you have rightly pointed out that most investigations are still ongoing even after eight months.
“Murder case chargesheets have not yet been filed, but for cases involving injuries, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has submitted chargesheets in two cases. Investigations cannot be rushed.”
He added, “If we hurried just to meet deadlines… we would ultimately fail to ensure justice. Therefore, patience is needed, no matter what anyone says.
“As for those who have been falsely implicated, they are not being harassed in their daily lives.
“If, as an investigating officer, I know that false allegations have been made against someone, I will not harass or arrest that person.
"And if I do not do that, who else would?”
Offering advice to innocent defendants, Baharul said: "Complainants often tell defendants that they will remove their names from the case if they give them a certain benefit. Many complainants are using these false accusations to extort money from innocent defendants.
“These statements from the complainants won’t have any effect on the investigation until the report is submitted to court.”
“Many are making mistakes in this process, and we cannot offer protection. So, don’t get involved in such situations, don’t give money, and if you face any trouble, come to the police," he concluded.
