Fakhrul acquitted in explosives cases

Staff Reporter:

In a major legal development, a Dhaka court has acquitted 163 leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), including several senior figures such as Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, and Gayeshwar Chandra Roy.

The verdict was delivered on Sunday by Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Sabbir Faiz, who accepted the final police reports recommending acquittal in two separate cases filed under the Explosive Substances Act.

Defence lawyer Jakir Hossain Jewel confirmed the judgment, stating that the court had accepted the police reports clearing all the accused of the allegations.

According to case documents, one case was filed with Ramna Police Station against 59 BNP leaders and activists on charges of vandalising and setting fire to vehicles in front of the Chief Justice’s official residence on 28 October 2023.

Following an investigation, police submitted a final report recommending the dismissal of the charges.

A second case was lodged with Shahbagh Police Station on the same day, accusing 104 individuals of vandalising and torching vehicles near the Paltan Police Station. Police investigations in that case also concluded with a recommendation for acquittal.

Yesterday’s ruling brings relief to the BNP leadership and their supporters, marking the conclusion of a year-long legal battle linked to the political unrest that swept through Dhaka in October 2023.