Politically motivated cases reviewed for withdrawal

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman on Tuesday said the government is reviewing politically motivated cases through a legal and transparent process and will withdraw eligible cases in phases after proper scrutiny.

Responding to a supplementary question from opposition lawmaker Md Abdul Alim of Bagerhat-4 during the Question-and-Answer session in the Jatiya Sangsad, the minister said the review process is ongoing and will continue until all eligible cases are examined.

“Politically motivated cases that have not yet been withdrawn are being scrutinised through the legal process. Those found eligible will be withdrawn in phases after due examination,” he said.

The minister said the government has formed district-level committees, headed by the respective Deputy Commissioners, to identify and review politically motivated cases.

The recommendations of these committees are forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs and subsequently placed before a second committee headed by the law minister for legal scrutiny before any final decision is taken.

“Every case is examined carefully from a legal perspective before appropriate action is taken,” Asaduzzaman said, adding that the government is committed to ensuring the process remains lawful, transparent and impartial.

He said the objective is to distinguish politically motivated cases from genuine criminal offences so that justice is served while preventing the misuse of the legal system.

Replying to another supplementary question, the minister clarified that the government has no legal authority to withdraw criminal cases in which a person has already been convicted by a court.

“If an appeal against a conviction is pending, it must first be disposed of by the court,” he said. “Only after the appeal process is completed may the convicted person apply to the Ministry of Home Affairs under Section 401 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.”

He explained that the Home Ministry then seeks the opinion of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs before placing the matter before the President for consideration of remission of sentence or pardon in accordance with the law.

The minister also referred to Article 49 of the Constitution, which empowers the President to grant pardons, reprieves or remissions of punishment.

Applications seeking presidential clemency are processed through the Ministry of Home Affairs, while the law ministry provides its legal opinion before a final decision is made, he said.

Reiterating the government’s position, Asaduzzaman said there is no legal provision for withdrawing cases against convicted persons, although they may seek remission of sentence or presidential pardon through the procedures prescribed by law.