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Published : 24 Feb 2026, 02:04 PM
The government has approved the withdrawal of 1,202 more cases filed during the tenure of Sheikh Hasina’s administration, marking the second phase of its move to scrap what it describes as “politically motivated” prosecutions.
With this, a total of 2,008 cases have been dropped since the BNP government led by Tarique Rahman assumed office.
A statement from the home ministry on Tuesday quoted Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed as saying: “Approval has been given to withdraw more politically motivated harassment cases filed against leaders and activists of opposition parties over the 17 years of the previous ‘fascist’ government.”
This follows a Feb 22 announcement approving the withdrawal of 1,006 “politically motivated” cases.
After the July Uprising that led to the fall of the Awami League government, the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs said on Feb 8 that 23,865 cases filed during that period had been recommended for withdrawal.
Most of those cases were filed against leaders and activists of the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Hifazat-e Islam Bangladesh and Gono Odhikar Parishad, among other political parties.
According to ministry data, the interim government formed two committees on Sept 22 last year to review cases filed between Jan 6, 2009 and Aug 5, 2024.
A district-level panel was set up under deputy commissioners, while an inter-ministerial body was formed under the then law advisor Asif Nazrul.
Applications were later invited from political parties. After assessing submissions from affected groups, the inter-ministerial body held 39 meetings and recommended striking out 23,865 cases.
The ministry said the process of withdrawing “political” cases remains ongoing.
