DHAKA, Jan 05, 2025 (BSS) - The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) today dismissed leave to appeal petition filed by the state against the High Court judgment that had scrapped proceedings of four extortion cases against BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.
 
The order was passed by a four-member Appellate Division bench headed by Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam, upholding the High Court judgment in this regard.
 
Additional Attorney General Barrister Aneek Rushd Haque moved the state plea before the court, while Additional Attorney General Mohammad Abdul Jabber Bhuiyan and Deputy Attorney General Md Jahirul Islam Sumon were present. At the same time, senior lawyers Zainul Abedin, Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Barrister Badruddoza Badal, Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kazal and Barrister Kaiser Kamal argued for Tarique Rahman.
 
The BNP leader in 2007 and 2008 filed separate appeals with the High Court, pleading to quash the proceedings of the four cases filed with the two separate police stations in the capital. 

The High Court after holding a primary hearing on the matters, passed its order and issued rule, asking as to why it shall not declare the proceedings of the cases illegal. 
 
The High Court on October 23, 2024, in a judgment declared that rule absolute. The state later filed a separate leave to appeal petitions against that judgment.
 
The defence expressed satisfaction with the apex court order, saying the false and fabricated cases were filed during the Awami fascist regime to fulfill their political vested interests.