A decade plus two years after the violent clashes surrounding Hifazat-e Islam’s rally at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka’s Motijheel, police have submitted final reports in nearly half of the related cases, citing a “lack of evidence”. On May 5, 2013, Hifazat held a rally at Shapla Chattar, with a 13-point list of demands that included punishing bloggers. Amid clashes with police, the protesters carried out attacks, vandalism, and arson targeting government offices, vehicles and banks in Motijheel, Paltan and surrounding areas. Of the six Motijheel cases, reports have been submitted in two, while as many others are being investigated, while two are stayed by court order. Public Prosecutor of the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Court, Omar Faruq Faruqi, commented: “The Shapla Chattar cases were politically motivated.
