A Jashore court on Monday acquitted BNP’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, in a sedition case filed nearly 11 years ago.
The verdict was delivered by Judge Sheikh Nazmul Alam of Jashore District and Sessions Judge’s Court.
The case was originally filed on 22 January 2014, by SM Afzal Hossain, then organizing secretary of the Awami League’s Jashore district unit. The complaint alleged that Tarique Rahman made derogatory and contemptuous remarks against Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, which amounted to sedition.
On 21 April 2014, police submitted a chargesheet against Rahman. The case initially advanced to the charge-framing stage, but a subsequent appeal was made for its withdrawal.
Public Prosecutor and Jashore BNP President Syed Saberul Haque Sabu explained that, under the law, a sedition case can only be filed if the alleged victim held an official state position at the time of the offense. Since Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was not in any such position at that time, the case was deemed legally inadmissible.
Previously, a magistrate court had rejected a petition seeking the case's dismissal. However, upon revision, the district and sessions judge’s court acquitted Tarique Rahman, revoked all arrest warrants against him, and dismissed the case.
