In the wake of Bangladesh’s seismic political overthrow in August 2024, a flood of legal cases has ignited fierce debate. Critics from opposition ranks, media circles, and human rights watchdogs allege a vendetta-driven crackdown, implicating thousands of innocents to purge rivals and exact revenge.
Friday’s media dispatches revealed the scale: approximately 22,000 cases logged across the country from August 5, 2024, to the 13th parliamentary polls. Political unrest fueled 7,500, deadly violence another 1,500, and draconian laws like the 1974 Special Powers Act and Digital Security Act covered 1,200 more.
Vandalism and explosives charges hit over 2,000, with 10,000 encompassing thefts, land disputes, and brawls. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed admitted vested interests dragged common folk into these webs, directing a police audit.
Dhaka Tribune’s investigation, drawing from ministry insiders, underscores the frenzy. HRSS reports 349 cases against party figures from July protests to late January, tagging 29,772 named accused and 65,000 unknowns. Journalists bore the brunt: 49 cases against 222, plus 834 victimized by violence.
The interim Yunus administration’s tenure saw persistent turmoil, with minorities and dissenters under siege. Police updates indicate progress—30-40% chargesheets, 20% probes ongoing, acquittals in several—but the damage lingers. Cyber Security Act 2025 added 41 cases amid the melee.
This case explosion threatens Bangladesh’s post-revolution stability. Rights advocates demand systemic reforms to prevent law from becoming a weapon, urging the government to prioritize justice over retribution for a healthier polity.