The government has decided to incorporate new rule to bring a major reform to the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to reduce fake and harassment-driven cases.

Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul came up with the development while speaking to reporters at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on Sunday (June 29).

He said Section 173(A), will be added to allow early discharge of accused persons if no solid evidence is found against them during the initial investigation.

“Many times, fake cases are filed, and innocent people are included in the accused list with ill intent. This leads to harassment and misuse of the legal system. To address this, we have decided to amend the CrPC after consulting top criminal law experts and the Ministry of Home Affairs,” said Dr Nazrul.

Under the new provision, a Police Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, or equivalent officer may ask an investigating officer for a preliminary report on a case. The report will be submitted to a magistrate.

If the magistrate finds that the case lacks a strong basis or that there is no specific evidence against the majority of the accused, he or she will have the authority to discharge those persons from the case.

“This reform will help reduce harassment cases and protect innocent people. However, if new evidence is found during a later stage of the investigation, names can be included again in the case,” the adviser added.

Dr Nazrul also informed that a United Nations Human Rights Office will be opened in Dhaka for an initial period of three years. He said the office will work independently alongside the National Human Rights Commission to monitor rights violations in the country.

Referring to the recent case of violence against a woman in Muradnagar, Cumilla, the law adviser expressed deep concern. “We are all deeply shocked by this brutal incident. The government is treating the matter with the highest importance. The main accused, along with those who spread the video, have already been arrested,” he said.

MSK/