Syed Shemul Parvez :
Mass cases, including false and unnamed allegations, continue to be filed across the country despite strict directives from the government to prevent such practices. Students arrested during the July movement are still facing legal troubles due to fabricated charges, while actual criminals remain free, raising questions among the public about the enforcement of justice.
Sources reveal that some of these cases are politically motivated, stemming from internal conflicts within major parties. One prominent example is Sheikh Md. Jabed Uddin, a long-time BNP activist and businessman from Nawabpur, Old Dhaka.
Starting his political career under the guidance of Sadek Hossain Khoka in 1993, Jabed claims to have been falsely implicated in 61 cases during the Awami League’s tenure, enduring imprisonment and alleged torture over the years.
Jabed, who was injured during a BNP rally on October 28, 2023, has accused his political opponents of filing fabricated cases to tarnish his reputation and block his ascent in the party.
He stated that these cases, including two recent ones, were filed with the intent of labeling him a “fascist” despite his decades-long affiliation with BNP politics.
The two recent cases, filed on October 24 and November 14, accuse Jabed of involvement in violent incidents. Interestingly, the case details are identical, with only the location and the names of the injured changed. Both cases list 123 individuals as accused under the same sections.
Jabed alleged that after securing bail in one case, the court promptly filed another against him, suggesting a systematic effort to suppress him politically. “During the Awami League period, I was oppressed with explosives cases and imprisonment. Now, efforts are being made to portray me as a fascist. This is a clear attempt to humiliate me socially,” he told The New Nation.
Local residents and businessmen in Jabed’s area corroborated his claims, stating that he has been a dedicated BNP member since 1993. While he ventured into business during the Awami League’s regime, they denied any political affiliation with the ruling party, dismissing the allegations as baseless.
When contacted, Md. Nayan Hossain, the plaintiff in one of the cases, claimed that Jabed had connections with Awami League leaders, citing photographs as evidence.
However, Deputy Commissioner Md. Jasim Uddin of Lalbagh Zone clarified that the police were not the plaintiffs in these cases and assured that Jabed’s alleged ties with the Awami League would be thoroughly investigated.
Legal advisor Dr. Asif Nazrul criticised the trend of “case business” following the July movement, urging accountability for those responsible for harassment cases. Meanwhile, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury reiterated the government’s stance on taking action against unjust legal proceedings, emphasising prior warnings from his ministry on the issue.
As mass cases and false allegations continue to unfold, they highlight a growing concern about the misuse of legal systems for political and personal gains, undermining public trust in the rule of law.
