Sunday, 5th April 2026
Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 1st August 2025, 2:18 PM
The Adviser on Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr Asif Nazrul, has announced that the interim government has withdrawn 752 harassment cases filed against students and members of the public who participated in the July-August mass uprising.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the Secretariat, Dr Nazrul shared detailed updates on the ministry’s year-long activities, including case withdrawals, legal and institutional reforms, and administrative advancements.
Case Withdrawals at a Glance
| Category of Cases | Number of Cases Withdrawn |
| Harassment cases from July-August mass uprising | 752 |
| Cyber Act-related speech offence cases | 408 |
| Politically motivated cases (recommended for withdrawal) | Over 15,000 (under review) |
Dr Nazrul noted that district committees and the Law and Justice Division thoroughly reviewed the FIRs and charge sheets before recommending the withdrawal of over 15,000 politically motivated cases.
“As a result of these steps, thousands of political leaders, activists, and individuals expressing dissenting opinions have been freed from legal harassment,” – Dr Asif Nazrul
Background: One Year of Interim Government
It has been almost a year since the interim government was formed on 8 August 2024, following the widespread student-led uprising in July. Dr Nazrul described the movement as a historic turning point, and emphasised that the government has worked to uphold the spirit and aspirations of the protests
Ministry Focus Areas Over the Past Year
The Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs undertook initiatives categorised under four key domains:
| Area | Details |
| Legal Reforms | Amendments and new laws including: – ICT Act – Civil Procedure Code – Supreme Court Judge Appointment Ordinance, 2025 – Cyber Security Ordinance, 2025 – Reforms to Criminal Law – Women and Children Repression Prevention Act Amendment |
| Institutional Reforms & Digitisation | – Formation of Bangladesh Judicial Service Formation Rules, 2025 – Empowering Supreme Court to create judicial posts – Full digitisation of attestation services – Monitoring of judicial asset declarations – Compilation of sub-registrars’ personal information to address corruption |
| Withdrawal of Harassment Cases | – Political and protest-related case withdrawals – Review mechanisms involving district and central legal bodies |
| Administrative Improvements | – Establishment of a special monitoring cell for crimes against students/public during the uprising – Online transformation of several services |
Judicial Transparency and Anti-Corruption Measures
The government has implemented reforms to strengthen transparency and accountability within the judiciary. Dr Nazrul elaborated on two specific actions:
Special Monitoring Cell for Uprising-Related Crimes
A special cell within the ministry is now dedicated to monitoring prosecutions related to crimes committed against students and civilians during the July-August protests. This is intended to ensure justice and transparency in addressing human rights violations during that period.
Dr Asif Nazrul concluded by reiterating the government’s commitment to fulfilling the democratic and legal aspirations of the people who participated in the mass uprising. Through bold legal reforms, digital transformation, and widespread case reviews, the government seeks to promote justice and reinforce public confidence in state institutions.
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