Govt takes steps to withdraw politically motivated harassment cases: Law minister
Earlier, the interim government had formed a committee to review such cases. However, according to its policy decision, no murder cases were withdrawn
The government has taken effective steps to withdraw politically motivated harassment cases filed during the previous Awami League government, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman has said.
"The current government is aware of the issue of politically motivated harassment cases filed during the previous Awami League government and has taken effective measures to withdraw them," The minister said this today (16 April) while replying to a written question placed by treasury bench member Md Monowar Hossain from Magura-1 constituency.
Earlier, the interim government had formed a committee to review such cases. However, according to its policy decision, no murder cases were withdrawn.
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"A four-member committee at the district level, led by the deputy commissioner, was formed on 5 March to recommend withdrawal of harassment-related political cases," the minister said.
In addition, a six-member central committee, headed by the law minister, was formed on 8 March to review these recommendations and take final decisions.
"If any individual, including lawmakers, applies through the prescribed process for the withdrawal of politically motivated false and harassment cases, the district and central committees will review the application," he added.
If any case is found to be harassment-driven upon review, necessary steps will be taken accordingly, Asaduzzaman said, adding that the government remains committed to providing relief to victims of politically motivated cases.
Asaduzzaman further said that judges who tried to act independently during the previous Awami League government were effectively punished through transfers to remote areas.
Responding to a starred question from Chattogram-15 lawmaker Shahjahan Chowdhury in parliament today, he said there were no legal or administrative barriers to ensuring judicial independence from the executive.
