5,079 Awami League leaders charged; Anisul tops in cases, Palak in remand
Nearly 2,000 cases registered against AL men nationwide
In the face of last year's mass uprising, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India on 5 August, leaving senior AwamiLeague leaders scattered – some went into hiding, others fled abroad, and many were caught by law enforcement.
Over the past year, 5,079 former MPs, ministers, and members of the ousted Awami League and its affiliates have been arrested over allegations including violent clashes and fatalities during the uprising.
A total of 706 cases have been filed across 50 police stations in the capital, while the number of cases nationwide is reported to be nearly 2,000, according to relevant sources.
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Sheikh Hasina, along with almost all former ministers, state ministers, advisers, MPs, and party leaders, have been named as defendants in these cases.
Additional Public Prosecutor Mohammad Shamsuddoha Sumon told TBS that most allegations are similar, citing sections 34, 107, and 120(k) of the Penal Code.
"Anyone can be named as a defendant for conspiracy, assistance, or propaganda," he said. "Arrest and remand may follow if a person is listed as involved. These actions are driven more by the nature of the alleged crime than the number of cases."
Among high-profile detainees, former law minister Anisul Huq faces the largest number of cases, 79 in total. Former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak, accused in 66 cases, has been placed under the longest remand, spending 91 days in custody for interrogation.
During the uprising, Palak made headlines by orchestrating narratives following nationwide internet shutdowns. Former law minister Anisul Huq came into focus after stating that the Supreme Court would decide on the quota issue that triggered the uprising.
The name of Hasina's adviser on private industry and investment, Salman F Rahman, often surfaces in connection with stock market and banking scandals. He faces multiple charges across cases, including incitement to murder during the uprising, corruption, and large-scale financial embezzlement.
Awami League joint secretary general and former minister Dipu Moni has been accused of destroying educational institutions through bribery, corruption, and looting. She also attracted attention for opposing quota reforms.
Former mayor of Dhaka North, Atiqul Islam, made headlines for appointing his daughter, Bushra Afrin, as chief heat officer without any official notification. Over the past five years, the city corporation building had become a hub of corruption.
Former information minister Hasanul Haq Inu and former civil aviation minister Rashed Khan Menon were discussed for meeting Hasina at Ganabhaban to suppress the uprising.
Former MP Haji Mohammad Salim and his son, former MP Solaiman Salim, were scrutinised for working to keep Hasina in power by opposing the uprising. Both face multiple allegations of bribery, corruption, and looting.
Most Awami League leaders are represented by advocates Farzana Yeasmin (Rakhi) and Morshed Hossain Shahin. They told TBS that defendants are facing successive cases as part of political retaliation, with bail in one case often leading to immediate arrest in another.
They said cases are being filed and remands applied like a storm, clearly indicating political harassment and revenge. The lawyers called for vigilance and fairness from law enforcement.
