No notable progress in police accountability: TIB

While the trial process concerning the July–August mass killings is ongoing, there has been no significant progress in ensuring accountability within the police force, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) said on Monday.

The organization stated that, apart from slow trial proceedings and some departmental actions, the lack of visible measures against the police reflects a deficiency in both the government’s will and capacity.

TIB made the remarks during a press conference held at 11:00 am on Monday (August 4) at its office in the MIDAS Centre, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, marking the release of a report titled “One Year After the Fall of the Authoritarian Government: Expectations and Realities.”

Shahzada M Akram presented the report on behalf of TIB.

According to the report, as of June 1, 2025, a total of 1,602 cases have been filed across the country against individuals involved in attacks on students and civilians, as well as instigators and masterminds of the killings. Of these, 638 are murder cases. TIB observed that 70 percent of these cases have made satisfactory progress, and investigations into 60 to 70 murder cases are in their final stages.

The report further stated that, in the 11 months since the fall of the government, 761 cases have been filed nationwide against 1,168 police personnel. Of them, 61 have been arrested. Additionally, the International Crimes Tribunal has received 429 complaints. Twenty-seven cases have also been filed at the tribunal, naming 206 accused individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, with 73 arrests made so far.