Several allegations have emerged in Bangladesh following the political changeover in August 2024. Opposition activists, journalists, local businesspersons, and citizens claim that innocent individuals were falsely implicated in legal cases to settle old disputes and personal rivalries. The country saw a significant increase in filed cases after the political transition, with around 22,000 cases registered nationwide between August 5, 2024, and the 13th national election.
Reports indicate that these cases encompass various issues, including political violence, murder, special powers violations, and digital security breaches. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed acknowledged that numerous innocent people were wrongly accused in these cases and has instructed the police to review and report on them. Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) findings revealed that leaders and activists from different political parties, including the Awami League, faced around 349 cases from July 2024 to January 31 of the following year.
The HRSS data also showed that a significant number of individuals, including journalists, were implicated in various cases during this period. The organization expressed concerns over the deteriorating law-and-order situation and human rights conditions in the country post the 2024 political transition. Police sources mentioned that chargesheets have been filed in a portion of the cases from the previous interim government period, with ongoing investigations in others. The Yunus-led interim government’s tenure was marked by attacks on minorities, journalists, and political opponents, leading to a challenging law and order situation in Bangladesh.
