109 cases against Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman still pending

After the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the face of a mass movement, the interim government assumed power. However, the situation concerning the cases against former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and her son, BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, has not significantly changed. A total of 109 cases, filed during the caretaker and Awami League governments, remain pending against them. Among these, 32 cases are against Khaleda Zia, while 77 are against Tarique Rahman. Additionally, there are nearly 400,000 cases involving approximately six million BNP leaders and activists still ongoing in courts across the country.

Following the establishment of the interim government, Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman have been acquitted of a few cases. Khaleda Zia was released from prison on August 6, after six and a half years, upon the directive of President Md. Sahabuddin. On September 3, Khaleda Zia was acquitted of five cases, including sedition charges, related to derogatory comments about the number of freedom fighters. On November 13, the High Court dismissed proceedings in a case filed against Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman under Section 57 of the ICT Act for allegedly threatening Sheikh Hasina. Tarique Rahman was acquitted of a sedition case filed in Noakhali on October 1. Additionally, on October 16, a freedom fighter withdrew a defamation case against Tarique Rahman in Jessore over comments about Bangabandhu.

Despite these developments, 109 cases remain pending against Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman. Among these is the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case filed in 2008 by the Anti-Corruption Commission, for which Khaleda Zia was sentenced to five years in prison and Tarique Rahman to ten years. The High Court later increased Khaleda Zia’s sentence to ten years. Although Khaleda Zia was conditionally released in 2020, Tarique Rahman’s appeal remains under review by the Appellate Division. Tarique Rahman, who left for London in 2009 on bail for medical treatment, was declared a fugitive, and warrants have been issued in multiple cases against him.

In 2018, Tarique Rahman was sentenced to life imprisonment in the August 21 grenade attack case, tried in absentia. Five other cases against Tarique Rahman have concluded with convictions, while several others remain stayed. Moreover, in 2007, the Anti-Corruption Commission filed a case against Tarique Rahman, his wife Zubaida Rahman, and her mother Syeda Iqbal Banur for possessing unexplained wealth. On August 2, 2023, a Dhaka court sentenced Tarique Rahman to nine years and Zubaida Rahman to three years in this case.

Senior lawyer and former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Zainul Abedin, told Views Bangladesh: “Although some cases against former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman have been withdrawn under the current interim government, 109 false cases are still pending against them. We demand the immediate withdrawal of these cases.” He added, “Tarique Rahman was wrongfully implicated and sentenced to life in prison in the August 21 grenade attack case during its concluding phase. We are working to expedite the appeal process for this case.”

BNP’s legal affairs secretary, Barrister Kaiser Kamal, remarked: “Despite the change in government, there has been no substantial progress in resolving the cases filed against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman. Over 100 cases are still active against them, and nearly 400,000 cases involving BNP leaders and activists remain pending in courts across the country.”

Attorney General Md. Asaduzzaman, speaking to Views Bangladesh, confirmed: “As far as I know, over 100 cases are still pending against former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman across the country. The interim government has released Khaleda Zia, and she is now free to travel abroad if necessary. However, Tarique Rahman will not return to the country until legal processes in these cases are completed.”

Law advisor Professor Asif Nazrul stated: “The current government has already formed two committees to address politically motivated and harassing cases. These committees are working to withdraw all such cases after thorough review.”

In September, the interim government issued a circular through the Ministry of Home Affairs announcing the formation of two committees—one at the ministry level and another at the district level—to identify and withdraw politically motivated cases. The district committees, chaired by district magistrates, have started working, reviewing cases filed against Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman. The district committees will recommend cases for withdrawal, which will be reviewed and finalized by the ministry-level committee. The process is expected to be completed by December 31, paving the way for swift withdrawal of harassing cases.