The Election Commission is sparing ruling Awami League MP from Narayanganj Shamim Osman from the charge of threatening a police officer during a parliamentary by-poll.
The commission described the report of the judicial inquiry into the threat allegation as ‘incomplete’ and added it had nothing to do over the committee’s ‘failure’.
According to media reports, Narayanganj-4 lawmaker Osman ‘threatened’ Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Md Bashir Uddin over phone for not favouring his brother Selim Osman, a Jatiya Party candidate in Narayanganj-5 by-election on Jun 26.
The inquiry committee, formed to look into the allegation, submitted its report to the commission on July 9, accusing Osman and three others of breaching the electoral code of conduct during the by-poll.
It, however, suggested that the Election Commission further investigate the matter in order to ‘be certain’.
Asked about the EC decision on the matter, Senior Election Commissioner Mohammad Abdul Mobarak said: “We haven’t found sufficient materials for taking action against anyone in the probe report.”
He said: “The committee hasn’t made any specific recommendation. Now nothing will happen over it.
Mobarak mentioned that the genuineness of the allegation was not found unambiguous but said there was no scope for a fresh investigation.
Another Commissioner, Abu Hafiz, said: “We haven’t got a complete report. Against whom will we take actions based on this incomplete report?”
The probe report, signed by Narayanganj’s Joint District Judge Habiba Mandal, who headed the investigation, and member Assistant Judge Muhammad Majharul Islam, accused the four of violating the code.
The three other accused are Madanpur Union Council Chairman Abdus Salam, ASP Md Bashir Uddin and RAB-11 official Major ‘Sohel’.
The EC Secretariat’s legal wing, however, suggested filing criminal cases against two of the four accused — Osman and Salam — for helping seizure of polling centres and obstruction to performing government duties.
Source: BD news24