False Accusations and Extortion Plague Post-Hasina Era in Bangladesh
Dhaka, Bangladesh – In the tumultuous aftermath of the Hasina regime’s fall, a disturbing trend of fabricated legal cases and extortion has emerged, casting a dark shadow over the nation’s pursuit of justice and accountability. The widespread protests that led to the regime’s collapse, resulting in over 1,500 deaths and 22,000 injuries, have now become the backdrop for a wave of opportunistic legal actions targeting innocent citizens. Thousands of cases related to the protests have been filed, but many appear to be baseless, driven by personal vendettas or financial greed, and threatening to derail legitimate efforts to address the violence.
The heart-wrenching story of Dulal Rabi Das, a 64-year-old cobbler who died of a stroke, exemplifies this troubling phenomenon. Months after his natural death, Dulal’s name was included in a legal case alleging he was a victim of the protests, shot and beaten by pro-Awami League members. This posthumous accusation not only added undue grief to his family but also entangled several innocent individuals, including ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Dulal’s son’s colleague, Rocky Bhuiyan. Bhuiyan, whose brother was also falsely accused, asserts that the accusations are a means of extortion, with individuals demanding money to remove names from the case.
This case highlights a pattern observed across Bangladesh. Individuals are being falsely implicated in violent incidents related to the protests, with some facing extortion demands in exchange for the removal of their names from the accusations. The modus operandi often involves filing cases with inflated numbers of accused, making it difficult for investigators to discern the truth and allowing the actual perpetrators to evade justice. The case filed by Rafiul Alam, which included Dulal’s death and another fabricated murder, typifies this tactic. Alam, who claims to have witnessed the events, is alleged to be using the case to extort money from those he accused. Recorded conversations obtained suggest Alam directed those he accused to intermediaries who would handle the payment discreetly, further solidifying the extortion claims.
The proliferation of these false cases raises serious concerns about the accessibility of justice and the possibility of genuine accountability for the violence that occurred during the protests. With thousands of cases filed and often hundreds of individuals accused in each, the investigative process becomes overwhelmed, hindering the identification and prosecution of those truly responsible. This chaotic legal landscape allows actual perpetrators to exploit the confusion and escape consequences, while innocent individuals are harassed, extorted, and unjustly implicated. The situation creates a climate of fear and distrust, undermining the rule of law and eroding faith in the justice system.
Human rights activists and legal experts express grave concerns about this alarming trend. They argue that the focus on fabricated cases not only diverts resources and attention from legitimate investigations but also threatens to shield the actual perpetrators of violence. The sheer volume of accusations, often involving hundreds of individuals in single cases, makes thorough investigation practically impossible. This, in turn, allows the real culprits to exploit the overburdened system and escape accountability. The extortion element further complicates matters, as it intertwines personal gain with the pursuit of justice, further corrupting the legal process and undermining the public’s trust.
The situation demands immediate and decisive action from the authorities. While acknowledging the problem, the government’s response so far has been inadequate. Statements by officials, like DMP Commissioner SM Sazzad Ali, acknowledge the existence of false cases and the involvement of some police officers in extortion. However, concrete actions and demonstrable accountability remain elusive. The pervasive nature of this issue requires a comprehensive strategy involving thorough investigation of all filed cases, stringent action against those found guilty of filing false accusations or engaging in extortion, and systemic reforms to prevent similar abuses in the future.
The prevalence of false accusations and extortion in post-Hasina Bangladesh underscores the fragility of justice systems in times of political upheaval. It highlights the critical need for robust mechanisms to protect citizens from malicious prosecution and ensure that the pursuit of justice is not hijacked by personal agendas or financial gain. Failure to address this issue effectively will not only deny justice to the victims of the protests but also erode public trust in the legal system and undermine the very foundations of a just and equitable society. The government must prioritize the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for filing false cases and engaging in extortion, while simultaneously implementing reforms to prevent such abuses in the future. Only then can Bangladesh move forward on the path towards genuine accountability and reconciliation.