Post-August 5 cases to be reviewed: Home Minister

Police have been instructed to review all cases filed after the fall of the Awami League government in the student-public uprising. The decision aims to ensure innocent people do not suffer harassment and that no one falls victim to vexatious litigation under the guise of establishing the rule of law.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed shared this information with journalists at the Secretariat on Monday.

After assuming charge of the Home Ministry, Salahuddin Ahmed held a meeting with heads of all departments under the ministry and law enforcement agencies. The meeting began at 11:30 am and lasted nearly two hours.

Following the meeting, the Home Minister said no one will be allowed to illegally obstruct or interfere in police work. Whether political or social, no one can interfere in the legitimate work of police. Salahuddin warned that the government will take immediate action if anyone interferes in police work.

He said police work often faces political interference, which must stop.

Salahuddin Ahmed said several cases have been filed after August 5, with some opportunistic individuals lodging complaints. In some instances, cases have been filed against innocent persons, businessmen, community leaders and journalists. Police will examine these cases and submit a report to the government.

Announcing an end to lottery-based appointments of OCs and SPs, Salahuddin said the police must have a clear chain of command. From now on, the lottery system for posting OCs and SPs will be discontinued. In many cases, lottery-based appointments prevent posting officers where they are most needed. Moreover, questions remain about the transparency of the lottery process. Previous lottery-based postings were not transparent. Officers will now be posted according to their competence and suitability based on service records.

Salahuddin Ahmed said Superintendents of Police at district level often extend protocol to individuals based on political considerations. From now on, SPs will not provide protocol to anyone beyond regulations.

The Home Minister further stated that police work must also be transparent. No action that causes public harassment will be tolerated. If police engage in such conduct, action will be taken against them as well.

Salahuddin also announced that the BDR mutiny incident will be reinvestigated. "I mentioned forming an investigation commission. We have a commitment, included in our manifesto, to thoroughly reinvestigate the BDR incident or form a commission and act according to its report. We are committed to establishing justice."