Criminal Justice System in Bangladesh: Issues and Challenges of Police Investigation

Abstract

This study aims to explore the various issues and challenges in the criminal justice system of Bangladesh, particularly what challenges investigating officers face before, during and after investigation regarding four types of cases. They are crime against person (murder), crime against property (dacoity), violence against women (rape), transnational crime (cybercrime). As a crucial arm of law enforcement, the police investigation processes face numerous obstacles, including workload, insufficient training, poor inter-agency coordination, long working hours, and strained relations with the community and in the process of investigation in the criminal justice system. The research seeks to identify the issues of police investigation in the broader context of crime investigation, submitting the report and ensuring the justice processes. This research is based on empirical study which has also explored the manifold challenges in the process of the criminal justice system in Bangladesh. To achieve this, the study adopts a mixed-method approach, utilizing surveys and KII to gather diverse perspectives from 400 law enforcement officers, 50 public prosecutors, 30 judges, criminal justice experts, and 40 complainants/victims and 6 Key Informant Interview (KII). Surveys has been conducted among the police officers of different units involved in police investigation to collect information about the issues and challenges before, during and after investigation. The survey information outlines that police are heavily overloaded with excessive work and they are not getting expert opinion on time –DNA, medical report, viscera report, contamination of crime-scene by public and media, lack of training, lack of logistics and technological support, Internal & External pressure, practices filing false case, lack of cooperation from witness and victims, lack of women police etc. Interviews with judges and experts have also given insights about the manifold issues in the criminal justice system in Bangladesh, what are the major challenges and the way forward by which the stakeholders can perform well in ensuring the criminal justice system and also satisfy the victims. Public mistrust of law enforcement and the persistence of corruption have been identified by the complainants and victims as contributing factors to these challenges towards the criminal justice system. By pinpointing these problems, the study has offered evidence-based recommendations for improving the system and structure and reforming police practices, improving accountability mechanisms, enhancing training programs, reducing workload for investigating officers, improving coordination among key stake holders, timely access to expert opinion and reports, improving witness cooperation and management, combating external and v internal pressure, leveraging technology for investigation and evidence collection, strengthening legal reforms, inclusion more women police and fostering better community engagement in order to ensure justice in society. By addressing these foundational issues and challenges, the research aims to support creating a more efficient, transparent, and professional police, ultimately contributing to a stronger criminal justice system in Bangladesh. This work holds significance for policymakers, law enforcement agencies, judges, public prosecutors, educational institutions, and community leaders, who can use its findings to implement targeted strategies establishing rule of law, ensuring good governance through better investigation and give the justice.