Dhaka, Jan 05 (V7N) — The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has upheld the High Court's decision to dismiss four extortion cases filed against BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman. The verdict was delivered on Sunday by a four-judge appellate bench led by Justice Md. Ashfaqul Islam.

The cases, filed during the military-backed caretaker government in 2007, were lodged at the Gulshan, Kafrul, Shahbagh, and Dhanmondi police stations in Dhaka. Tarique Rahman had earlier challenged the legitimacy of these cases in the High Court under Section 561(a) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

On October 23, 2024, a High Court bench comprising Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice Syed Enayet Hossain quashed the cases, declaring them invalid. However, the state later filed a leave to appeal against this decision, arguing that the High Court's ruling was flawed.

Additional Attorney General Barrister Anik R. Haque represented the state during the proceedings. After reviewing the appeal, the Appellate Division dismissed the state's plea, thereby upholding the High Court's earlier verdict.

This decision marks a significant legal victory for Tarique Rahman, further clearing him of charges stemming from cases filed during the 2007-08 caretaker government period.

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