Cases filed under cyber laws for speech offences to be withdrawn

The government has decided to swiftly withdraw the cases related to speech offences filed under cyber laws, reports UNB.

Besides, people who were arrested in these cases will be granted immediate release through legal processes, according to a release of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.

As of August 2024, a total of 5,818 cases remained pending in eight cyber tribunals across the country under the Information and Communication Technology Act 2006, the Digital Security Act 2018, and the Cyber Security Act 2023.

Among these cases, those filed for expressing opinions through digital platforms were classified as "speech offences," while computer hacking or fraud through any digital device was identified as "computer offences."

Currently, there are 1,340 cases related to speech offences, with 461 cases under investigation and 879 cases pending trial in the eight cyber tribunals of the country.

Of the ongoing speech offence cases, 279 fall under the Information and Communication Technology Act, 786 under the Digital Security Act, and 275 under the Cyber Security Act.

Among the 1,340 speech offence cases, the 879 cases will be swiftly withdrawn in coordination with the Ministry of Law and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Investigating officers will be instructed to promptly dispose of the 461 cases under investigation by submitting final reports, said the release.