Murder case against Iresh Zaker: ASK urges govt action against 'ghost cases'

The Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) has expressed deep concern over allegations of harassment surrounding legal proceedings related to cases filed after the July uprising.

In a statement today (29 April), the rights organisation questioned the credibility of several cases filed in connection with the movement, citing reports of innocent individuals being wrongfully accused or harassed under the pretext of arresting suspects. 

The statement comes after Mostafizur Rahman Bappi, brother of Mahfuz Alam Srabon, who died during the July uprising, filed a case with a Dhaka court naming actor Iresh Zaker alongside deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 406 others on 20 April, nine months after his brother's death.

I don't know all the accused: What plaintiff in case against Iresh Zaker, others said

When asked about the involvement of actor Iresh Zaker, who was among the 406 accused, Bappi said, "How can I possibly know everyone, brother? The incident happened in Dhaka, and I live in Naogaon."

Mentioning the case, the ASK stated, "The purpose of the law is to protect citizens' rights. But when the law is used to file such targeted cases to harass innocent individuals, it becomes unacceptable. 

"The previous government was strongly criticised for the practice of filing so-called 'ghost' cases. It now appears that such ghost cases have resurfaced under the current government, as individuals who were never present at crime scenes are being accused. Alarmingly, several of the case complaints and accused lists are identical."

The ASK said it believes that those who have no connection to the incidents – including those accused in cases filed over events that occurred while they were abroad and media professionals facing harassment as accused – must be promptly cleared through proper investigation and removed from the cases.

Emphasising the need for ensuring justice for crimes committed during the July uprising, the ASK drew caution for filing sweeping cases over these incidents, stating that it is unacceptable. 

"A murder trial must be based on fair investigation, witness testimony, and material evidence. Instead, many of these cases seem to be politically motivated or driven by other interests, as individuals with no apparent link to the incidents have been named as accused."

Noting that citizens have the right to file cases, the ASK said if people are being deliberately framed or harassed in these cases, it constitutes a violation of human rights.