Judiciary independent, govt doesn't interfere: Quader

FENI, Oct 26 (UNB): Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Saturday said the verdict in the Nusrat murder case has proved that the Awami League government does not interfere in the country's independent judicial system.

"All the 16 accused, including the president of local Awami League, got death penalty in the Nusrat murder case. Awami League leaders' names were not excluded from the charge-sheet. So, it has been proved no offender can avoid punishment."

Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, was talking to reporters at a view-exchange meeting at Mohipal Circuit House in the district town.

About the ongoing anti-crime drive, he said, "I don't know whether there's any such instance in world history that a ruling party conducted drives against its own party men.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina set an example by conducting such a drive, which is very rare."

Those who were involved in corruption, drug peddling and extortion are now under watch, he said adding that necessary legal action will be taken once evidence is available, Quader said.

About Khaleda's health condition, he said doctors' observations about her condition do not match with what the BNP leaders and her relatives claim. "They just want to make their political gains in the name of Khaleda's illness."

"BNP leaders and activists couldn't wage any visible movement even after two years of jailing of their chairperson. If they can free her through a movement, they can do so. They just can roar but can't forge any movement," he added.

Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif, Chattogram division Organising Secretary and Deputy Minister for Water Resources AKM Enamul Haque Shamim, Feni-2 Constituency MP and District Awami League General Secretary Nizam Uddin Hazari were, among others, present.