Dhaka, June 29 (V7N) — Important amendments are being introduced to the Criminal Penal Code to curb the rise of fake cases and case trading, which have long plagued Bangladesh’s justice system. The reforms aim to allow courts to release accused individuals without sufficient evidence at the pre-trial stage, based on preliminary police findings.

At a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on Sunday, Legal Advisor Asif Nazrul detailed the proposed changes, stating, “When a case is at the investigation stage, many innocent people become victims of case trading for years due to false allegations. The new provision will empower magistrates to release accused persons before trial if initial investigations reveal no reasonable basis for charges.”

According to Nazrul, the amendment proposes that if a Police Commissioner or Superintendent of Police finds allegations baseless during initial investigation, they will instruct the investigating officer to submit a preliminary report to the magistrate. If the magistrate determines that most of the accused have no charges backed by evidence, they may be discharged immediately, avoiding unnecessary trial proceedings.

Nazrul pointed out that in serious cases like murder, investigations often drag on for two to four years. “In some cases, a kind of case trading emerges, and those falsely accused live in constant fear of arrest or being drawn into corrupt dealings. The new provision will address this injustice,” he added.

Under the proposed system:

  • The investigating officer will submit a preliminary report upon instruction.

  • The magistrate will review this report and can discharge accused persons lacking prima facie evidence.

  • The investigation against other suspects will continue, and only those with evidence against them will face trial.

Nazrul emphasized that the reform will enable the courts and police administration to work in tandem to prevent misuse of the legal process, while ensuring genuine cases proceed appropriately.

END/RH/AJ