Charges frame against Bangla politico

SHILLONG, JULY 22:  The Chief Justice Magistrate court on Wednesday frame charges against Bangladesh National Party (BNP) leader Salahuddin Ahmed who mysteriously and illegally entered India’s Meghalaya state without any valid documents.

Ahmed appeared before the Chief Justice Magistrate (CJM) KML Nongbri court during a hearing on Wednesday. He denied being guilty of the charges leveled against him.

“The court has framed charges against him (Ahmed) under section 14 of the Foreigners’ Act, 1946,” Public Prosecutor IC Jha told newsmen after the court hearing. He informed that the court has fixed July 30 for hearing evidences of prosecution witnesses in the case.

“Altogether there are eleven witnesses, including the Investigation Officer (IO) in this case, Jha said.   According to him, the other witnesses include medical doctors and police officials.

Jha also said, “During the hearing, the accused did not plead guilty of the charge and wanted to be trial.”

Earlier last month, Ahmed, who was arrested on May 11 from Golf Link area and charged under section 14 of the Foreigners Act, was granted bail (with condition that he could not leave the court’s jurisdiction) after furnishing a bail bond of Rs 2 lakh by his wife Hasina Ahmed and another person who is an Indian citizen.

Stating that the accused now has to prove that the charge leveled against him is not true, Jha said, “The law says that no one can straight away be punished but should be given ample opportunity to defend his case.”- By Our Reporter