United News of Bangladesh

The government has decided to review the crimes against humanity cases filed during the tenure of the interim government, said Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Wednesday. The deputy commissioners (DCs) have been instructed to send district-wise case lists to the Ministry of Home Affairs for scrutiny, he said while talking to reporters after the third session of the final day of the DC Conference held at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital. The minister said a number of cases were filed after August 5 in connection with the anti-discrimination movement including allegations of committing crimes against humanity linked to what he described as fascist activities.  “We will verify and examine these cases carefully as thousands of people were named in many of them. Investigators will determine the actual accused and ensure quick disposal of the cases,” he said. The minister further said that individuals who were included in cases with malicious intent would be given relief through legal procedures. When asked about the timeframe given to DCs for sending the case lists, the minister said they have been asked to submit them as soon as possible preferably within one month. He said district-level committees headed by deputy commissioners, with members including additional deputy commissioners, superintendents of police, public prosecutors and others, have already been formed to review such cases. These committees will verify politically motivated or false cases and applicants will need to submit forms along with FIRs, charge sheets or ejahars and related documents. Verified cases will be recommended for withdrawal, he said. “Such cases will first be sent to the Home Ministry which will not take immediate action but forward them to the Ministry of Law.” A committee headed by the Law Minister will review and vet the cases and only those deemed appropriate for withdrawal will be sent back to the Home Ministry for final action under Section 494 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), said Salahuddin. After assuming responsibility, the interim government began reviewing and withdrawing some of those cases, although certain categories such as murder, arms, women and child abuse, drug trafficking and human trafficking were initially excluded, he said.