Jhalakati college student Limon Hossain, maimed by Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) two years back, was cleared of charges brought by the elite force as the government issued a gazette notification on Thursday withdrawing both the cases filed against him.The notification issued by the Law Ministry says: “As per the section 494 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the government has decided not to proceed with the cases.”
It also said the public prosecutor of Jhalakati has been directed to take necessary steps for withdrawal of the cases.
Earlier, on Tuesday, the government decided to withdraw both the cases considering Limon’s age following a request by National Human Rights (NHRC) Commission chairman Dr Mizanur Rahman.
According to a source at the NHRC, its chief Dr Mizanur Rahman wrote a letter to the Home Minister on May 30 requesting him to take initiatives for lifting the cases against the college student.
A six-member team of Rab reportedly shot at the leg of Limon, who used to work at a brick kiln to manage his educational expenses, after taking him to a place adjacent to his house at Jamaddarhat in Rajapur upazila of Jhalakati district on March 23, 2011. The team also picked him up from the brick kiln.
Later, Limon’s left leg was amputated at the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation as the tissues were totally damaged due to excessive bleeding caused by delay in treatment after the shooting.
Rab filed two cases against him — one accusing him of possessing firearms and another for what they said obstructing them from discharging their professional duties.
Limon’s mother, Henoara Begum, filed a case with Rajapur Police Station on April 10, 2011, accusing six Rab personnel of attempted murder and maiming his son.
Police secretly submitted the final report on the case to a court on August 14, 2012, saying they found no evidence and witnesses against the Rab personnel.
Limon’s mother filed ‘no confidence’ petition against the final report on August 30, 2012, which was rejected by a Senior Judicial Magistrate’s Court on February 13, 2013.
– UNB
