48 more cases set to be dropped

The metropolitan public prosecutor (MPP) of Dhaka yesterday recommended withdrawal of 48 more cases filed against Awami League leaders and activists on grounds that they were 'politically motivated' and meant for 'harassment'.
MPP Mohammad Abdullah Abu made the recommendation after scrutinising the documents of those cases, sources said.
But the state lawyer did not recommend withdrawal of any cases filed against BNP lawmakers and activists.
The MPP had earlier recommended withdrawal of two cases filed against former law minister Moudud Ahmed and former food minister and BNP leader Mir Shawkat Ali considering those to be 'politically motivated'.
The accused in the cases include State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak, AL lawmakers Mirza Azam and Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, former lawmakers Kamal Ahmed Majumder and Mohamamd Mohiuddin and Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya.
The cases were filed during BNP-led four-party rule and the last caretaker government's tenure.
The MPP also asked the authorities to send the cases to the district magistrate of Dhaka for his opinion on withdrawal.
Earlier on different occasions, the MPP had recommended withdrawal of over 500 cases against Prime Minister and AL President Sheikh Hasina and others including Deputy Leader of the House Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury and Home Minister Sahara Khatun.
On receipt of recommendations from the MPP on those cases, the district committee headed by the district magistrate reviewed the case documents and sent those to the home ministry for its decision.
The ministry had earlier decided to withdraw over 243 cases against Sheikh Hasina and other leaders. But it rejected the petitions for withdrawal of 66 cases as those were filed on charges of theft, robbery, murder and rape.
Meanwhile, the MPP had scrutinised documents of 20 cases filed against former prime minister Khaleda Zia and her family members. But he did not recommend withdrawal of any other cases. They had earlier submitted petitions for withdrawal of those 20 cases.
Hasina, Khaleda and many other political leaders had petitioned for withdrawal of 2,781 cases filed against them.