The Bangladesh Nationalist Party has alleged that legal procedure has been violated while awarding presidential clemency to AHM Biplob, convicted of killing a local party leader, and demanded that the mercy should be rescinded.
BNP standing committee member Moudud Ahmed made the allegation at a human-chain programme in front of the National Press Club on Saturday.
'As per the constitution, the president has the prerogative to exonerate a death penalty, but that has to be done through a legal procedure,' he said.
'We've come to know that no opinion of the law ministry was included in the note the home ministry sent to the president for the clemency to Biplob.
'The president has forgiven a party criminal by violating legal procedure. We deplore this,' he added.
Moudud demanded withdrawal of the clemency, saying that outlaws would be encouraged with such presidential mercies.
The human-chain was formed to press for the demand. Later, another human-chain was formed in this regard.
BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, 'There will be no rule of law in the country if identified criminals get off the hook.'
'Not only this, the ruling party released many identified criminals by withdrawing 7,000 cases. The country has become their sanctuary,' he added.
On July 14, the president, Zillur Rahman, awarded clemency to Biplob, son of Lakshmipur municipality mayor and an Awami League leader.
Biplob was convicted of kidnapping and subsequently murdering Lakshmipur BNP organising secretary and lawyer Nur Islam in 2003. He is also accused in two other murder cases.
Biplob, who had been absconding since the murder, surrendered before the court on April 4.
Soruce : New Age
