Limon Hossain has finally got a breather with the government deciding to withdraw two cases filed against him two years ago.
Published : 09 Jul 2013, 09:51 AM
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) had filed the cases in 2011 accusing him of crime committed under the Arms Act and obstructing official duties.
The cases were lodged after the Jhalakathi college student lost one of his legs in an alleged shootout with RAB.
Mizanur Rahman, Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), on Tuesday told bdnews24.com that both the cases against Limon had been withdrawn.
Home Minister Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir told journalists, “We have decided the cases against Limon will be withdrawn as per Section 494 of the criminal code.”
In his immediate reaction, Limon said the withdrawal had proved his innocence. “I am happy.”
NHRC chief Rahman, who had been reportedly trying to convince the government to withdraw the cases, appreciated the move.
Limon, however, said the case filed by his mother against six RAB personnel after the shootout would continue. The case accuses the RAB men of attempting to murder Limon.
Asked if the government would take steps against RAB, Minister Alamgir said, “I don’t think there’s much left to do against the [elite] force.”
“We must also consider the situation under which Limon was apprehended by RAB.”
The government move comes within a week of Limon being indicted in the RAB cases. Seven others had been accused in the twin cases.
The NHRC, in a media release, said Alamgir had informed Rahman of the development over phone.
“It has been proved that I am innocent,” an elated Limon told bdnews24.com.
He said the NHRC chief had told him over phone, “Limon, I am with you now as I was before. The Home Minister has signed documents for withdrawing the RAB cases against you.”
Seventeen days after her son was injured in the alleged gunfight, Henoara Begum had filed a case with Rajapur Police Station on Apr 10, 2011.
Limon’s left leg was amputated after he was injured in the encounter.
NHRC chief Rahman, who stood by Limon after he lost one of his legs, called him even a few days back. A storm of criticism followed after Limon claimed that Rahman in that meeting requested him to withdraw the case he filed against RAB.
But Rahman later explained he did not ask Limon to withdraw the case. He actually said that the Ministry of Home Affairs might consider withdrawing the case against RAB if the case against Limon was withdrawn.
RAB arrested Limon and shot him in the left leg near his home at Saturia in the Rajapur Upazila of Jhalakathi on Mar 23, 2011.
On the same day, RAB filed two cases with the Rajapur Police Station implicating Limon in an arms case and also accusing him of obstructing law enforcers from carrying out their duties.
Police in their report claimed RAB had no fault in this case, which was followed by a non-acceptance petition from the case’s plaintiff.
A special tribunal in Jhalakathi on Jul 1 had ordered to begin the judgement on the case filed by RAB.