It reflected the criminalisation of politics: HC

The High Court yesterday released the full text of the verdict in the Awami League lawmaker Ahsanullah Master killing case and observed that behaviour of the killers proved how fierce and violent they were.

“The way of committing the crime, the place, and the surrounding circumstances undoubtedly indicate that they [the convicts] were sure that even if they had been identified, they would remain above the law due to the protection and patronisation of their party. This behaviour proves how fierce and violent they were. Only the seriously fierce political criminals can hold such power and use it,” the HC said in the judgment.

Justice Obaidul Hassan and Justice Krishna Debnath signed the 182-page judgement.

The verdict said, “From the hellish killing that happened through an organised attack on Noagaon MA Majid School premises in Tongi, the extent of criminalisation of politics can be understood.”

It said, “Each murder is inhumane which creates a wound in society, and seriously hits the sense of security of the people … The cruel incident not only snatched the lives of the victims, it also blood-stained the society, people's consciousness and humanity. In the history of Bangladesh, 

incidents of such barbaric murders are very few. The incident clearly reflected the criminalisation of politics,” the HC said.

It said there was no tendency among political parties to shun party activists who practice such barbaric indiscipline. “Rather in many cases, the political parties are dependent on this type of rowdy workers which is a large obstacle to development and practice of healthy political culture.”

If this went on, it would obstruct the establishment of the rule of law in the country. “Social safety would be threatened.”

The HC said, “This case not only reflected a barbaric killing, but also clearly showed how the politics has been criminalised and how such criminalisation has given strength and courage to the perpetrators of crime.”

“If Ahsanullah Master was alive, he would have had more opportunities to dedicate himself to people's welfare by playing a role in parliament. He could have continued his good work. The society and the country could have been benefited. The sentenced accused, by killing Ahsanullah Master, have deprived the society, nation and the people of his constituency the opportunity to march on the road of prosperity. Alongside the murder of an individual, ideals and moral spirit have been killed. Ideal politicians like Ahsanullah Master are rare in society.”

The HC on June 15 upheld the death penalties of six people, including a central Jubo Dal leader, for killing Ahsanullah Master, a decade after a court sentenced 22 people to death and six others to life-term in prison.

The government could now move an appeal before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court against the HC verdict that acquitted 11 people. The HC had also commuted capital punishment of seven convicts to life imprisonment, upheld life-term imprisonment of two.

The convicts could also appeal to the apex court seeking acquittal of the charge.

Two convicts have died. Of the rest, 10 are in jail and five on the run.

The criminals shot and killed Ahsanullah, a freedom fighter, and Omar Faruq Ratan, a student, during a rally of Swechchhasebak League, a pro-Awami League body, at Noagaon near the MP's home in Tongi on May 7, 2004.