After the fall of the Awami League government, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and many of the party's leaders were released from prison. However, despite two months under the interim government, the cases against BNP's Acting Chairman, Tarique Rahman, have not been withdrawn, preventing his return to Bangladesh.
Tarique Rahman's lawyers and senior BNP leaders assert that there are no legal barriers preventing his return. He can come back whenever the government allows it, they claim.
According to party insiders, Tarique's return is in motion. Many of the top leaders of the Nationalist Lawyers Forum are currently in London, including Advocate Asaduzzaman Asad. Sources suggest Tarique Rahman could return to the country within the next month or two.
When contacted, Attorney General Asaduzzaman Asad, currently in London, declined to comment on the matter.
BNP's Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi expressed the party’s eagerness for Tarique Rahman's return, saying, "The so-called legal complexities were created by Sheikh Hasina’s government. If we continue to follow these laws, the legacy of fascism will persist."
Rizvi added, "The cases filed against Tarique Rahman were politically motivated. These were aimed at exacting revenge, not delivering justice. We have full confidence in the interim government to rectify these wrongs swiftly. We hope for the withdrawal of the politically motivated sentences without delay."
Rizvi emphasised that despite being in London, Tarique Rahman remains actively engaged with the party through technology.
"His prolonged absence due to legal technicalities is unnecessary. We urge the government to expedite his return," said Rizvi.
When asked about the obstacles preventing Tarique Rahman's return, Rizvi responded, "We see no barriers on our side, but we cannot speak for the government's perspective. His return could be facilitated at any moment with an executive order."
BNP Vice Chairman and President of the Nationalist Lawyers Forum, Zainul Abedin, echoed similar sentiments from London, saying, "There are no legal complications preventing Tarique Rahman’s return. The timing is his decision, and we trust he will return soon to face these politically motivated charges."
Zainul added that Tarique Rahman respects the law and has the legal right to appeal under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). He emphasized that since the cases are politically driven, the government has the authority to dismiss them, clearing the path for Tarique’s return.
Attempts to reach BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir for comment were unsuccessful.
Since the caretaker government of 2007, Tarique Rahman has faced 17 cases. After the Awami League came to power, this number increased to over 50, with multiple convictions in various cases. However, the BNP remains hopeful that the interim government will take the necessary steps to allow Tarique Rahman’s return in the near future.