Verdict in Jamaat chief Motiur Rahman Nizami's war crimes case has been deferred in apprehension of hartal during Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's visit to the country, claimed BNP standing committee members ASM Hannan Shah.
The BNP leader made the claim while addressing a discussion at the National Press Club in the capital on Tuesday afternoon.
Earlier in the morning, the International Crimes Tribunal deferred the verdict in the case against Nizami for his role during the 1971 Liberation War. The tribunal passed the order keeping the case CAV, meaning “verdict would be delivered later.”
Hannan Shah said: "New Delhi has sent a message that the verdict should not be declared today, because the Indian external affairs minister will come tomorrow.
“If Jamaat called hartal protesting the verdict, then your [government] friend India will come to know that people are not with you. Then, the balloon of friendship will be leaked."
Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is set to come Dhaka on Wednesday on a three-day official visit.