Jashore court acquits Tarique in 2014 sedition case
A Jashore court today acquitted BNP's acting chairman Tarique Rahman in a sedition case filed in 2014.
Judge of Jashore District and Sessions Judge's Court Sheikh Nazmul Alam passed the order.
According to the case statement, SM Afzal Hossain, the then organising secretary of the district unit of Awami League, had filed the case, alleging that Tarique made derogatory remarks against Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, committing sedition.
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Then on 21 April 2014, police submitted a chargesheet against Tarique Rahman.
Public Prosecutor and Jashore BNP President Syed Saberul Haque Sabu said on 9 November 2014, the case was filed. The Judge acquitted Tarique as the charges were not proven by the evidence in the case, which has been going on for nine years.
Initially, the case proceeded to the charge-framing stage, but an appeal was later filed for its withdrawal, reports UNB.
He explained that under the law, a sedition case can only be filed if the alleged victim held an official position in the state at the time of the offense. Since Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was not in any official state position at that time, the case was deemed inadmissible.
Earlier, a petition seeking the dismissal of the case was rejected by the Magistrate Court. However, upon revision, the District and Sessions Judge's Court acquitted Tarique Rahman, cancelled all arrest warrants against him, and dismissed the case.
