Dhaka: The government has initiated the formation of three distinct committees at the ministry, district, and metropolitan levels. These committees have been charged with the responsibility of supervising the submission of interim investigation reports, with the goal of alleviating the legal burdens of individuals falsely implicated in criminal cases tied to the July Uprising.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the ministry-level committee will be led by the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser, who will serve as the convener. The deputy secretary, senior assistant secretary, or assistant secretary of the Law branch-1 of the Home Ministry will act as the member secretary of this six-member committee. Additionally, two four-member committees have been established at the district and metropolitan levels. These are headed by the district magistrate (deputy commissioner) and metropolitan police commissioner, respectively.
A recent notification clarified the formation of these committees, simultaneously canceling two previous notifications issued on December 8, 2024, and May 13, 2025. The district-level committee will comprise the police super, public prosecutor, and the additional police super of crime and operations, with the latter serving as the member secretary. Meanwhile, the metropolitan committee includes representatives from the divisional commissioner, the metropolitan public prosecutor, and a police officer at the rank of police super of metropolitan police, who will act as the member secretary.
The government has incorporated section 173A into the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which mandates the submission of interim investigation reports. This initiative aims to make the criminal justice system more accessible and less burdensome for the public. The newly formed committees are tasked with implementing this system, focusing on cases related to the July-August 2024 Mass Uprising.
These committees will compile lists of cases filed at the district and metropolitan levels, as well as those requiring interim investigation reports under section 173A of the CrPC. Their responsibilities also include ensuring that investigation officers consider all pertinent issues related to these cases.
Furthermore, the committees are required to gather statistics on the cases for which interim investigation reports have been submitted, including the number of individuals acquitted based on these reports. To maintain oversight and transparency, they are expected to submit a report twice a month on their findings and progress.