Shahabuddin may face legal action

Legal action can be taken against a president over allegations concerning the period before or after holding office, though a sitting president remains immune while in post, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Broadcasting Zahed Ur Rahman said on Tuesday.

The adviser made the remarks at a regular press briefing at the Secretariat, held to highlight the government’s activities, in response to journalists’ questions regarding immediate past President Mohammed Shahabuddin.

He clarified, however, that his reply was not specific to Shahabuddin but applied to any president.
Asked whether the former president had been granted immunity, Zahed Ur Rahman said there was “some confusion” surrounding the matter. He explained that a person holding the office of president in Bangladesh does not face legal proceedings during their tenure, but once they are no longer in office, legal action can be taken for any misconduct committed before or after their time in the post.

“I am not speaking specifically about this president [former president Mohammed Shahabuddin], but any president,” he said.

Local government polls, Cox’s Bazar city corporation.

The adviser said the government’s position on holding local government elections within this year remains unchanged. He also gave an update on the ongoing process to establish Cox’s Bazar as a city corporation.

Query on compulsory retirement of 32 joint secretaries.

Responding to a question on whether 32 joint secretaries who had served as deputy commissioners during the controversial 2018 election were sent on compulsory retirement specifically for that reason, the adviser declined to comment directly.

“The government has not stated anything to that effect. Has it?” he said.
He added that, under the Public Service Act, an official who completes 25 years of service may be sent on compulsory retirement, and there is no requirement to show cause for such a decision.