Morning News
9 th April 1967
Hearing in Sheikh Mujib’s case concludes
(By Our Court Correspondent)
Hearing concluded in the Court of Mr. Afsaruddin, Magistrate 1st Class, Dacca in the case in which Sheikh Mujib is accused of making a prejudical speech. The trial was held inside the Central Jail. Charges were framed earlier against the Awami League leader in connection with his speech delivered on March 20, 1966 at Paltan Maidan.
|According to charges, the said speech, inter alia, created hatred and enmity between the different sections of the people of East and West Pakistan, created disaffection towards the Government established by law and created fear and alarm in the public about the very safety and defence of Pakistan.
Mr. Mesbauddi, Public Prosecutor argued that the criticism of the Government itself was an offence punishable under law.
He argued that 15,000 people were present in meeting. Where Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered his allegedly prejudical speech. Most of them were common people. The call of Sheikh Mujib “to prepare for struggle” definitely aimed at the Government. The learned prosecutor cited the ruling of the Privy Council in Bal Gangadhar Tilak Case and asserted that the Sheikh Mujib’s said speech had come to the purview of the Tilak Case and as such he (Sheikh Mujib) should be convicted to delivering prejudical speech.
The defence lawyer Mr. Abdus Salam Khan and Mr. Zahiruddin argued next. Mr. Khan cited ruling of Mr. Justice Cornelius (now Chief Justice Supreme Court) and Mr. Justice M. R. Khan and argued that mere enmity was not sufficient. The enmity and disaffection which create violence or leads to violence should be taken into account.
Mr. Khan thanked the learned Prosecutor for the troubles he had taken to read out the whole speech. “we must take into consideration the whole of it”, he added.
Mr. Khan further argued that in the whole speech Mujibur Rahman never asked anyone to struggle for violence or disorder on the contrary he invited his party men to prepare for movement peacefully. Moreover learned defence lawyer argued that said speech was delivered after seven months of the September War.
Mr. Zahiruddin the other defence lawyer criticised the prosecution for submitting the witness who allegedly told a lie before the Court. He also discussed the F.I.R. and argued that the F.I.R. was lodged by one Younus who was not examined or cross examined Mr. Zahiruddin contended that the F.I.R. was lodged at the direction of higher authorities only to harass sheikh Mujibur Rahman. No witness went to police and stated anything and there was no name of witnesses in the F.I.R. he contended. The Judgement will be delivered on April 24.
Mr. Mesbauddin App, and Mr. A, Khaleque Khan conducted the case for the prosecution. Mr. Abdus Salam Khan, Mr. Zahiruddin, Mr. Abdur Rob and Mr. Abul Hossain appeared for Sheikh Mujib.
সূত্র: সংবাদপত্রে বঙ্গবন্ধু তৃতীয় খণ্ড: ষাটের দশক॥ দ্বিতীয় পর্ব