Govt follows double standard about AL leaders in jail: Zillur
Monday, 4 August 2008
Awami League (AL) acting president Zillur Rahman Sunday alleged that the government has adopted a double standard policy about the arrest and release of its leaders, reports UNB.
He demanded immediate unconditional release of former minister and senior AL leader Engr Mosharraf Hossain who was arrested last year when he had gone to submit his wealth statement to the Anti-corruption commission (ACC).
"Under whose influence, `war criminal' Matiur Rahman Nizami was released? How does the minister of the most corrupt ministry during the last BNP regime, Mannan Bhuiyan walk out of jail? BNP leaders M Shamsul Islam and MK Anwar were also released on bail," Zillur Rahman said.
"Despite obtaining bail, why Mosharraf Hossain is not released yet?" he posed a question while addressing a press conference at his Gulshan residence in the morning.
AL presidium members Abdur Razzak, Motia Chowdhury and acting general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam were, among others, present.
The AL leader said that after nine months of his detention in jail without any case, the High Court had declared Engr Mosharraf's detention illegal and ordered for his release, which was stayed by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court.
Later, he said, the government filed two "conspiratorial and false" cases against Mosharraf though police could not submit charge sheet in the cases until now.
Zillur said that following a fresh appeal, the High Court granted bail to Mosharraf in the two cases on July 28. But the police again arrested him when he walked out of Kashimpur jail on August 1.
"When most of the people are trying to hide information of wealth, Mosharraf Hossain himself went to the ACC for submission of his wealth statement. But the government has thrown him behind the bar. This is nothing but discrimination and partiality of the government."
Zillur said it seems that the government's anti-corruption drive has turned into "anti-politics drive" as a particular group of people are getting release even with serious charges and some others kept in jail for long without any trial.
AL central leader Mosharraf Hossain was elected Member of Parliament in 1973, 1986 and 1996.
He demanded immediate unconditional release of former minister and senior AL leader Engr Mosharraf Hossain who was arrested last year when he had gone to submit his wealth statement to the Anti-corruption commission (ACC).
"Under whose influence, `war criminal' Matiur Rahman Nizami was released? How does the minister of the most corrupt ministry during the last BNP regime, Mannan Bhuiyan walk out of jail? BNP leaders M Shamsul Islam and MK Anwar were also released on bail," Zillur Rahman said.
"Despite obtaining bail, why Mosharraf Hossain is not released yet?" he posed a question while addressing a press conference at his Gulshan residence in the morning.
AL presidium members Abdur Razzak, Motia Chowdhury and acting general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam were, among others, present.
The AL leader said that after nine months of his detention in jail without any case, the High Court had declared Engr Mosharraf's detention illegal and ordered for his release, which was stayed by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court.
Later, he said, the government filed two "conspiratorial and false" cases against Mosharraf though police could not submit charge sheet in the cases until now.
Zillur said that following a fresh appeal, the High Court granted bail to Mosharraf in the two cases on July 28. But the police again arrested him when he walked out of Kashimpur jail on August 1.
"When most of the people are trying to hide information of wealth, Mosharraf Hossain himself went to the ACC for submission of his wealth statement. But the government has thrown him behind the bar. This is nothing but discrimination and partiality of the government."
Zillur said it seems that the government's anti-corruption drive has turned into "anti-politics drive" as a particular group of people are getting release even with serious charges and some others kept in jail for long without any trial.
AL central leader Mosharraf Hossain was elected Member of Parliament in 1973, 1986 and 1996.