12 Cases Against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia Dismissed
The High Court has dismissed a case filed against BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia at Darus Salam Police Station in Dhaka on charges of incitement. The High Court issued this order on Thursday, October 31.
On Wednesday, October 30, the High Court bench of Justice A.K.M. Asaduzzaman and Justice Syed Enayet Hossain dismissed ten other cases against the BNP Chairperson filed at various police stations, including Darus Salam and Jatrabari, on similar charges.
Barristers Mahbub Uddin Khokon and Kaiser Kamal represented Khaleda Zia in court. Senior lawyers Zainul Abedin, Advocate Gazi Kamrul Islam Sajol, Barrister Nasir Uddin Asim, Advocate Zakir Hossain, and Advocate Siddiq Ullah Mia were also present.
On the same day, the High Court also dismissed a treason case filed against Khaleda Zia for allegedly making disparaging remarks regarding the number of martyrs in the Liberation War.
In this case as well, Barristers Mahbub Uddin Khokon and Kaiser Kamal argued on Khaleda Zia's behalf. Senior lawyers Zainul Abedin, Advocate Gazi Kamrul Islam Sajol, Barrister Nasir Uddin Asim, and Advocate Zakir Hossain were present in court.
The court noted, "Permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs is required to file a treason case against anyone. In this instance, no such permission was obtained."
In December 2015, a case was filed at the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court accusing Khaleda Zia of making comments questioning the number of Liberation War martyrs. Advocate Moshiur Malek, president of the Bangabandhu Foundation, filed the case under Section 123(A) of the Bangladesh Penal Code, alleging that her statements amounted to defamation of the state and undermined its sovereignty.
The case was filed at the court of Metropolitan Magistrate Atikur Rahman, who, after hearing the complainant’s statement, emphasized the need for a lawful investigation given the sensitive nature of the allegations. However, he noted that authorization from the government is essential before proceeding under Section 123(A). Therefore, Shahbagh Police Station was directed to conduct a lawful investigation with an officer ranked Inspector or higher.
The complaint states that on December 21, 2015, Khaleda Zia claimed during a discussion at the Bangladesh Engineers Institution that "Bangabandhu did not want Bangladesh's independence; he wanted to become the Prime Minister of Pakistan. It was Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman who declared independence. There is much debate today over the number of martyrs." This statement was widely reported in the press the next day. Her remarks allegedly demeaned the martyrs of the Liberation War and questioned Bangabandhu's role, thus constituting an offense under Section 123(A) of the Penal Code.
Following recent political developments, the High Court has now dismissed the treason case filed against BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.
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