‘Politically motivated cases to exclude rape’

The Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry has clarified that rape cases will not be included in the scope of withdrawal of politically motivated harassment cases, as the government begins reviewing such cases through a newly formed committee.

Speaking to reporters at his Secretariat office on Thursday, 21 May, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman said the decision was taken at the first meeting of the committee formed for reviewing applications for withdrawal of politically motivated cases. "In the withdrawal of political harassment cases, we decided that no rape case will be considered. The issue of considering the withdrawal of any rape case will not come up in the list. This is our decision today," he said.

The minister further said that the committee would strictly limit its review to cases identified as politically motivated. "The committee that the government has formed to withdraw political harassment cases had its first meeting on Thursday," he added.

Earlier, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed had outlined the procedural framework for identifying and processing such cases. Speaking at a press conference on 6 May, he said district level committees headed by the District Magistrate, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, Public Prosecutor and a further representative had been formed to scrutinise applications.

"The committee notified the public that if a politically motivated and false case is filed against someone, they must apply in a specific form with the charge sheet, FIR and statement," he said, adding that where charge sheets exist, details of the court concerned must also be submitted. He noted that only after verification would cases falling within the defined category be recommended for withdrawal.

The Home Minister further said that all recommendations would first be sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs and would not be acted upon immediately.