Dhaka, Feb 8 (V7N) — The interim government has recommended the withdrawal of 23,865 cases filed during the tenure of the previous Awami League government, describing them as politically motivated, officials said on Saturday.

According to a government handout, the move is expected to provide relief to nearly five lakh individuals who were implicated in what the authorities termed harassment-driven cases.

The cases were lodged between January 6, 2009 and August 5, 2024 against leaders and activists of various political parties and organizations, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Hefazat-e-Islam and Gono Odhikar Parishad.

To examine the cases, the interim government formed district-level committees headed by Deputy Commissioners, alongside an inter-ministerial committee chaired by Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul.

Political parties were invited to submit applications seeking withdrawal of cases they claimed were filed for political reasons.

Officials said the inter-ministerial committee has so far held 39 meetings and, following scrutiny of the petitions, recommended the withdrawal of 23,865 cases.

The review process is ongoing, and additional cases may be considered in the coming phases, officials added.

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