Pakistan Observer
13 th May 1967
Sk.Mujib’s acquittal challenged
(By Our High Court Correspondent)
The Dacca High Court admitted for hearing an appeal filed by the Government of East Pakistan against the acquittal of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman of the charge of delivering prejudicial speech.
Mr. M. A. Malek, Magistrate First Class, Dacca, on October 24, 1966 acquitted Sheikh Mujib of the charge.
Mr. Justice Baquer and Mr. Justice Abdul Hakim of Dacca High Court also called for the records of the case.
It was alleged by the Government that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the then General Secretary of the Provincial Awami League (now the President of the Provincial Awami League) while delivering speech in the Paltan Maidan on September 29, 1964 uttered some expressions which were prejudicial in nature, causing hatred or contempt or dissatisfaction against the Government established by law or interfering with the administration of law or persuading people in refuse to pay tax etc.
On these allegations Sheikh Mujib was charged under Section 7(3) of the East Pakistan Public Safety Ordinance.
Sheikh Mujib denied the allegations. According to him, the meeting was convenced to protest against the repression of the students. He said that he uttered nothing prejudicial in his speech. It was also alleged on behalf of Sheikh that most of the witnesses were non-Bengali speaking men who either did not understand the speech of Sheikh Mujib or have forgotten what they have heard. It was further alleged that the witnesses were deposing falsely.
The Magistrate held that the prosecution has hoplessly failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt against Sheikh Mujib. So the Magistrate acquitted him.
This appeal was filed by the Provincial Judicial Secretary and was moved by Mr. Masud, the Deputy Legal Remembrancer.
It was argued that the Magistrate misread the evidence in the case and came to an erroneous conclusion. It was also argued that the balanced evidence in the case was against Sheikh Mujib.
সূত্র: সংবাদপত্রে বঙ্গবন্ধু তৃতীয় খণ্ড: ষাটের দশক॥ দ্বিতীয় পর্ব