Govt sees no grounds for legal action against Shahabuddin, says Home Minister

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday said no criminal or other court case can be filed against former President Mohammed Shahabuddin, adding that the government sees no grounds for legal action against him and that he will continue to receive the privileges and security guaranteed under the law.

The minister said the newly resigned President will continue to receive all state facilities, including security, for the next six months in accordance with the Constitution.

Salahuddin made the remarks at the ministry's conference room at the Secretariat after an event recognising police personnel for their service.

When asked about allegations that existed against Shahabuddin before he became President, the minister said, "If there were any allegations against him at that time, that is a matter for that period. It will proceed in accordance with the law."

The minister said Shahabuddin resigned from the post due to physical illness, and the resignation letter clearly stated the reasons. 

“The Constitution allows a President to resign if he wishes to do so, and the Speaker has accepted the resignation. All of these are legal processes," he said.

His remarks came just days after Shahabuddin resigned as the President of Bangladesh on Friday, citing ill health. 

Since the announcement, criticism has intensified while the National Citizen Party (NCP) has called for his arrest.

In this regard, the Home Minister said, "Now, those who are criticising the President have the right to do so. What do we expect in the post-uprising period? People should have the freedom to express their views politically. They should also have the freedom to protest."

Salahuddin Ahmed said that the Opposition, including the NCP, raised allegations against the former President. 

"They can do that. But we do not see anything in those allegations that warrants our consideration," he said.

He said that during the final phase of the authoritarian regime, throughout the interim government, and during the tenure of the current political government, the President had carried out his responsibilities in accordance with the Constitution and the law.

"We have received the President's cooperation. Under the Constitution, he is privileged and enjoys immunity. No criminal case or any other case can be filed against him in court”, he said.

Asked about allegations that former President Mohammed Shahabuddin spoke over the phone with fugitive former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina while in London for medical treatment, the Home Minister said, "We have seen that in newspapers. If a newspaper publishes such a report, it should be asked what evidence it has. We do not have any such information."

"And does one have to go to London to talk to someone? In today's age of the internet, you do not need to travel to London to speak to anyone. If someone wants to talk, they can do so from here as well."