According to the sources, Bangladesh’s interim government’s Chief Advisor, Muhammad Yunus has given nod to acquitting the following individuals, who were handed death penalty for their involvement in 10-truck arms haul (consignment of weapons and explosives destined to be sent to ULFA.
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This matter has been initiated by Asif Nazrul, Advisor, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry (a known supporter of BNP and diehard anti-Bharat). Now the matter will be placed with President Muhammed Shahabuddin for final approval. Key names of the condemned prisoners are:
1. Md. Lutfuzzaman Babar, State Minister for Home Ministry in BNP-Jamaat coalition government (2001-2006),
2. Abdus Salam Pintu, Deputy Minister BNP-Jamaat coalition government (2001-2006),
3. Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of BNP,
4. Maj Gen (Retired) Rezzakul Hayder Chowdhury, the then Director General of the Directorate of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) during BNP-Jamaat coalition government (2001-2006),
5. Wing Commander (sacked) Shahab Uddin, the then Director of the National Security Intelligence (NSI) during BNP-Jamaat coalition government (2001-2006).
Meanwhile, government has decided to withdraw all cases filed against BNP, Jamaat and Hefazat-e-Islam leaders and activists, while Muhammad Yunus is being gradually acquitted from all previous charges and convictions despite the fact, most of the cases were filed based on strong evidences.
10-truck arms haul case
Notably, according to the Daily Star, Bangladesh, a Chittagong court on January 30, 2014, had handed down the death penalty to 14 people, including ex-ministers Lutfozzaman Babar and Motiur Rahman Nizami and former top intelligence officials, for smuggling 10 truckloads of arms into Chittagong during the last BNP-led government’s tenure. The verdict points to the state machinery’s involvement in the smuggling of the huge cache of weapons meant for the United Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa), an insurgent group in North East.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Chief Advisor, Muhammad Yunus was acquitted in a bribe case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over the misappropriation of funds from the Grameen Telecom Workers and Employees Welfare Fund, Bangladesh-based daily, Dhaka Tribune reported.
As per the report by Dhaka Tribune Justice Md Rabiul Alam of the Dhaka Special Judge’s Court-4 on Sunday pronounced the verdict after the ACC sought to withdraw the case filed under the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Health Advisor and Managing Director of Grameen Shikkha, a non-profit organization, Nurjahan Begum, was also accused in the graft case, Dhaka Tribune reported.
This move comes four days after Yunus was acquitted in another case of labour law violation, as per Dhaka Tribune.
On August 7, the Labour Appellate Tribunal overturned the six-month jail sentences of Yunus in a case filed over the violation of the labour law, Dhaka Tribune stated.
