Says legal action can be taken over allegations after tenure

Information and Broadcasting Adviser to the Prime Minister Zahed Ur Rahman today said the constitutional immunity enjoyed by the president applies only while in office, and legal action may be taken after the end of the tenure.

He made the remarks while responding to questions from journalists at a weekly press briefing on government activities at the Secretariat.

Asked whether former president Mohammed Shahabuddin had been granted immunity, Zahed said no legal proceedings can be initiated against a sitting president under the Constitution.

The constitutional protection applies only during the president’s tenure, he said, adding that once the office is vacated, legal action may be taken over any allegations or legal matters arising from before or after assuming office.

The country’s 22nd president resigned on July 24, citing health reasons. Since then, several political parties have demanded legal action against Shahabuddin, who was elected during the Awami League government’s tenure.

Responding to another question on the weapons used during the July mass uprising, Zahed rejected what he described as the Awami League’s narrative that anti-government protesters had killed people using sniper rifles.

“The reality is that the police had rifles chambered for 7.62mm ammunition, and the BGB also had similar weapons,” he said.