Dawn
28th September 1966
Mujib’s case: hearing concludes
DACCA, Sep 27: The hearing of the trial of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by a Magistrate’s court on a charge of making “prejudicial” speech at a public meeting two years back, concluded today.
Judgment was reserved by the court, which sat inside the Dacca Central Jail.
The prosecution said that Sheikh Mujib, President of the East Pakistan Awami League, delivered the speech at the Paltan Maidan meeting on Sept 29, 1964, to, among other things “encourage or incite the public in general to refuse payment of taxes payable to the Government”.
The Assistant Public Prosecutor, Mr S. M. Bakht, told the court that the object of the speech was to “stir up” the people to “disobey” the lawfully established Government in Violation of Section 7 (3) of the East Pakistan Public Safety Ordinance.
Mr Bakht said the Constitution guaranteed the freedom of expression to criticise the Government for its policies, but the accused, he added, abused the privilege by making personal attacks on the Head of the State and the head of the province.
He submitted that the speech was intended to bring into hatred and contempt and create disaffection towards the Government established by law and to interfere with the maintenance of law and order.
Mr Abdus Salam Khan, appearing for the accused, told the court that the public meeting was also addressed by other COP leaders who made “similar” speeches but not action was taken against them. This, he argued, showed that it was a case of a victimisation.
Mr Zahiruddin, another lawyer, appearing for Sheikh Mujib submitted that the case was started with the intention of harassing the accused. — APP.
সূত্র: সংবাদপত্রে বঙ্গবন্ধু তৃতীয় খণ্ড: ষাটের দশক॥ দ্বিতীয় পর্ব