Law Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed on Saturday said 90 percent of dowry-related and women repression cases are false.“Filing of false cases should be stopped and proper investigation has to be ensured to establish justice,” he said while addressing a views-exchange meeting at Ruposhi Bangla hotel in the capital.
Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry organised the meeting in cooperation with UNDP on Amendment of Criminal Procedure.
The Law Minister said a large number of accused in Bangladesh are acquitted due to filing of false cases.
He also suggested enacting laws for ensuring direct penalty against those who file false cases. “A separate investigation cell in each upazila is necessary for speedy disposal of criminal cases. Litigants will not get justice without a separate cell in each thana.”
“We’re going to fix a 150-day timeframe for completing investigation into criminal cases under the Amended Criminal Procedure,” he said.
The dowry-related cases can be settled quickly through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
For reducing the number of prisoners, Barrister Shafique Ahmed suggested introducing ‘plea bargaining system’ or reduction of penalty for prisoners for confessing to their guilt.
State minister for law advocate Quamrul Islam, attorney general Mahbubey Alam, Law secretary ASSM Jahirul Haq, Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Department secretary Md Shahidul Haq, UNDP country director Pauline Tamesis, among others, addressed the programme. (Source: UNB)
