Law ministry recommends withdrawal of 7,184 politically-motivated cases

Law Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul on Sunday said the law ministry has recommended the withdrawal of 7,184 politically-motivated cases filed during the tenure of the previous government.

"Sometimes, cases are submitted that are not actually politically-motivated ones. Many try to put names included through various means. Officials of the law ministry and the home ministry are regularly scrutinising the matters. I want to assure you that the officials at both the ministries are working with utmost sincerity," he told a press conference at the ministry's conference room.

Regarding model Meghna's case, he said, "There are some allegations against her and those are under investigation. However, the process of her arrest was not proper. The home ministry will take necessary steps after verification."

The adviser also spoke on the Bangladesh Bank cyber heist, saying that a review committee was formed to look into the incident, which he leads.

The committee also included the central bank governor and other officials. "There was a plan to loot $2 billion from the bank — it was essentially a plan to plunder Bangladesh," Asif Nazrul said, adding that if it had succeeded, the country could have faced famine.

He alleged that the previous government delayed the investigation into the matter. "The CID had carried out an investigation, and there was a clear instruction that names of Bangladesh Bank officials involved should be excluded from the committee's report," Asif Nazrul said.

"I have enquired what action was taken against those initially named in the CID report, and instructions have been given for follow-up measures," the adviser added.