The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The interview of fugitive death penalty convict Col (retd) Abdur Rashid in a private television channel on Tuesday has raised questions among different quarters.

The interview, opined legal experts, is undoubtedly one-sided, and brings up a fundamental question as to how a condemned fugitive has been allowed to appear in an interview broadcast by the private TV channel, more so when the matter is sub-judice and pending before the Appellate Division.

Condemned Lt. Col (Retd) Rashid has unilaterally implicated Shahid President Ziaur Rahman and Col. Taher in Bangabandhu murder case. The other co-accused did not also make any mention of President Ziaur Rahman and Col Taher.

Legal experts such as Dr. Shahdin Malik, Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon and adovcate Asaduzzman have separately expressed their opinion.

Dr. Shahdin Malik in his reaction said Lt. Col (Retd) Khandaker Abdur Rashid is a condemned fugitive in Bangabandhu murder case. If only he surrenders to the process of law, the concerned court will decide whether Rashid can make any statement at all, appearing in a TV channel.

The murder of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of the nation, is the most disgraceful and painful tragedy in our national history. Giving an opportunity to a condemned fugitive to appear in a local private TV channel, allowing him to make a unilateral statement is immoral. This is likely to create misgivings in the minds of the people and even lead to social disaffection and conflict. The episodes remain to be broadcast will, undoubtedly, be of the same nature, and have no relevance to the process of justice.

Advocate Asaduzzaman said, Rashid’s statement emanates from his personal imagination and has no legal basis. During prosecution he did not appear and make any submission. He is only putting the nation to utter confusion at the final stage of the legal process. Condemned Rashid, among others, murdered Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and yet acclaimed him as Bangabandhu. Advocate Asaduzzaman said this is the worst form of hypocrisy.

Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon said condemned fugitive Rashid has been allowed an opportunity to defend himself. At this national crossroads, Rashid’s interview broadcast is, undoubtedly, motivated and with malafide intention.

Col (Retd) Rashid’s statement is totally baseless and unacceptable to the nation. The private TV channel, as it appears, seems to have interfered with a sub-judice matter.