BNP leader Salahuddin wants to return

A court in India's Meghalaya state may come up with a verdict on arrested BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed.

Dilip Kumar Sharma, Guwahatibdnews24.com
Published : 22 July 2015, 09:22 AM
Updated : 22 July 2015, 05:01 PM

Currently facing legal action for entering India illegally, he is now out on bail. 
 
On Wednesday, he reached the District and Sessions Judge's Court in Meghalaya capital Shillong.
 
Just before reaching court, Ahmed told bdnews24.com that he was in good health now and would like to return home.
 
"Whatever the court's verdict may be, I want to return to my country (Bangladesh)."
 
A joint secretary general of BNP, Ahmed was present on Wednesday morning with his lawyer soon after the court opened. He said he had nothing to fear from anyone in his country. 
 
After having a cup of tea with one of his relatives at a tea stall near the court, he went inside the court room. 
 

Photo: Prakash Verma

The final verdict on his case will be delivered by the court in a short while from now on Wednesday.
According to the public prosecutor, IC Jha, if the accused does not plead guilty, the court may hand down the verdict for his punishment on Wednesday itself.
There are seven to eight witnesses in the case and everyone's statement is already available with the court.
Ahmed had earlier expressed his desire to stay in India.
Bangladesh had issued a 'red corner' notice against Salahuddin, a former state minister in the Khaleda Zia government.
If the court orders Ahmed to be sent back to Bangladesh, he may be immediately arrested on setting foot in his country.
He was booked under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act for entering India without valid travel documents after he was found moving aimlessly at the Golf Link area of Shillong on May 11.