BNP’s National Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has been acquitted from two cases related to shrimp farm occupation and fish theft in Charandwip, Chakaria Upazila of Cox’s Bazar.
Around 2pm on Thursday, Salahuddin Ahmed, along with other accused, appeared before the Senior Judicial Magistrate Javed Akhtar’s court in Cox’s Bazar.
They sought suspension and bail for the cases. The court granted them acquittal and dismissed both cases.
Expressing his satisfaction to the media, Salahuddin Ahmed said that the independence of the judiciary has been proven, and their acquittal from the false cases is a testament to justice being served. He added that this proves justice has been established in the court.
In a brief statement, Salahuddin further urged for the withdrawal of all false, baseless, and politically motivated cases filed during the previous government’s tenure. He called for the acquittal of people from different walks of life, including political figures, from such cases.
According to the lawyers, the two cases were filed in 2007 at Chakaria police station, accusing Salahuddin Ahmed and over 50 BNP leaders and activists of attacking, occupying, and stealing fish from two shrimp farms in Charandwip in 2001. The charge sheets were submitted by the police in 2018.
The lawyers saidd that during today’s hearing, the court observed that the plaintiffs failed to present a single witness. Additionally, the police could not prove the allegations. Consequently, the court approved the suspension request and issued an order acquitting Salahuddin Ahmed and all the accused from the cases.