SHILLONG: A local court on Friday acquitted former Bangladeshi minister Salahuddin Ahmed who was arrested in the city three and a half years ago for not possessing valid documents.
The Court of the Judicial Magistrate (first class) directed the authorities concerned to facilitate Ahmed’s repatriation to Bangladesh.
Senior Advocate S P Mahanta assisted by lawyer AK Agarwal took up the case for Ahmed.
Talking to media persons after the verdict, an exhausted Ahmed said, “I am happy as justice has been done as the court acquitted me and gave instructions to the authorities concerned to repatriate me as early as possible.”
The verdict indicates that the entry of Salahuddin to India was not illegal.
According to police, Ahmed had allegedly entered Shillong without valid documents in May 2015 and was subsequently arrested though he claims that he was kidnapped by people in plain cloth and dumped here blindfolded. Ahmed was the minister of communication of the Khalida Zia government.
When asked if he would contest the general election in Bangladesh, which is likely to be held in December, Ahmed said if the polls are held on time, he is hopeful of contesting.
When asked about his long journey in Shillong far from his country, Ahmed said it was a long journey but he “is thankful to the Indian and Meghalaya governments for rendering all the medical services to him”.
Ahmed admitted that there is threat to him in Bangladesh but when asked whether he would seek asylum in a third county, he said, “I never said I want to go to any third country. I am waiting and I am willing to return to my country at the earliest.”
“We don’t care. We have faced it and restored democracy for the greater interest of the country and people,” he added.
However, he fears that the administration in Bangladesh may resort to “political ploys and press certain charges” against him but he is “ready to face all the challenges”.
Slamming the present dispensation in his country, he said democracy “is not functioning in Bangladesh and country is marred by state sponsored terrorism”.
“The present regime has not been elected properly and the 2014 general election in my country was flawed as only 5 percent voters casted their votes and they (the government) say they are elected,” he added.
Ahmed also alleged that the Sheikh Hasina government has finished judiciary and polluted the democratic system. “They destroyed all democratic institutions and passed many black laws against the media.”
About Meghalaya, the Bangladeshi politician said people here “are very friendly and nice”.
