The metropolitan public prosecutor (MPP) of Dhaka yesterday recommended withdrawal of one of the 11 cases filed against former BNP senior joint secretary general Tarique Rahman, considering it 'politically motivated' and meant for 'harassment'.

The case was filed on May 4 in 2007 with Gulshan Police Station accusing businessman Giasuddin Al Mamun of extorting Tk 2.20 crore from another businessman. But later Tarique, elder son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, was shown arrested in the case on the basis of Mamun's confessional statement. This is the first time the government recommended withdrawal of one of the 20 cases filed against BNP Chairperson Khaleda and her family members during the last caretaker government's rule.

Talking to The Daily Star, MPP Mohammad Abdullah Abu said he had earlier scrutinised documents of the 20 cases submitted by the lawyers concerned, and found that one of the extortion cases was filed with political motive and to cause harassment. "I have recommended withdrawal of the case and sent it to the Dhaka district magistrate for final recommendation'' he said.

The MPP said Tarique's name was not in the first information report (FIR). He was shown arrested in the case after his friend Mamun mentioned his name in confessional statement. But there was no cogent document in this regard in the FIR of the complainant. So, the case should be withdrawn, he said. Sources said the MPP also scrutinised the documents of four cases filed against Khaleda, and one against Tarique's wife Zobaida Rahman. But he did not make any recommendation for withdrawal of the cases.

Earlier on April 30, Khaleda and her family members had appealed to the government for withdrawal of all the 20 cases against them. Tarique faces 11 cases--seven on extortion charges, three on graft and one on tax evasion. Khaleda's younger son Arafat Rahman Koko is accused in five cases--three on graft and one each on money laundering and extortion charges.

Meantime, the government recommended withdrawal of 13 cases filed against Prime Minister and Awami League (AL) Chief Sheikh Hasina. Paltan Killings case against Hasina and 45 others has already been withdrawn. The home ministry had earlier decided to withdraw a case against former law minister and BNP leader Moudud Ahmed for possessing contraband liquors at his residence in April 2007.

Besides, the MPP had earlier recommended withdrawal of 550 cases considering those politically motivated, and intended to cause harassment. The home ministry finally decided to withdraw as many as 455 cases. Since the government moved to review 'politically-motivated' cases, as many as 2,781 applications have been submitted to Dhaka District Magistrate Zillar Rahman.

-Daily Star

Withdrawal of one case against Tarique recommended

bdnews: The public prosecutor at Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s Court has recommended cancellation of a case against BNP’s senior joint secretary general Tarique Rahman on Wednesday. Businessman Abu Shahed Shahel had filed Tk 4.89 crore extortion case against controversial businessman Gias Uddin Al Mamun with Gulshan police station on May 4, 2007.

Tarique was shown arrested in the case after Mamun admitted his involvement in the confessional statement under 164 section although Tarique was not named in the statement by the complainant. Abdullah Abu, the prosecutor, told bdnews24.com on Wednesday evening, ‘I recommended his exemption from the case.’ The BNP chairperson Khaleda’s elder son was released from prison a day shy of completing a year behind bars.

Eleven cases were filed against him and 24 more cases against the family of Khaleda. A press briefing on Wednesday noon at BNP’s Naya Paltan central office demanded withdrawal of all cases filed against Tarique. The government earlier decided to withdraw one case against BNP leader Moudud Ahmed.