Dhaka, April 28 -- Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam says police are "legally bound" to accept cases with large numbers of accused following a sharp rise in such complaints after the shift in Bangladesh's political landscape.

Speaking at a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka ahead of Police Week on Monday, Baharul addressed growing concerns over mass-defendant cases, many allegedly used for extortion and intimidation.

He advised those wrongfully implicated to avoid falling into complainants' traps and instead seek police assistance.

He was asked whether police were aware of a nationwide surge in cases where not only political leaders but also people from different walks of life were being implicated, a...