Desk Report:
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said that approval has been given for withdrawal of 1,202 more political harassment cases filed against opposition party leaders and activists, including people from various classes and professions, during the 17 years of the previous fascist government.
The minister gave this information while briefing journalists at the Ministry of Home Affairs at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday (February 24, 2026).
The minister said that approval was given earlier to withdraw 1,006 political harassment cases filed against opposition party leaders and activists. He said that while withdrawing the cases, only political harassment cases have been taken into consideration, excluding cases of murder, drugs, weapons, explosives and women and child abuse. He said, we have taken the initiative to withdraw several more political harassment cases. Whether the cases are truly political cases will be carefully verified. He also said that a scrutiny committee will be formed to ensure that this is not misused. A decision will be taken in this regard within the next few days.
In response to journalists’ questions about the cases filed after August 5, 2024, the minister said, “In several cases filed after August 5, some ordinary and innocent people have been accused for personal gain. Some opportunistic groups have filed these cases that have come to our attention. We will verify these and find out the correct information.” He said, “We are determined to establish the rule of law. We will continue to make all-out efforts so that no one becomes a victim of unnecessary harassment cases.”
