NEWS

B'desh founder Mujib's killer in Canada

By Ajit Jain
February 25, 2011 02:35 IST
The man who killed Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding president of Bangladesh, in 1975, lives comfortably in Toronto. Despite several rejections to his refugee claim, Ottawa can't deport him.

The Toronto Star recently reported that Nur Chowdhury, who 'pulled the trigger on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman lives quietly in a building in Etobicoke (Toronto)…Chowdhury was sentenced to death for his role in the military coup that killed the president, his family and others.' He has never been punished for his crimes.

When Rahman's daughter, Sheikh Hasina Wazed, became the Bangladesh prime minister, her administration started criminal proceedings against Chowdhury and 10 others. Bangladesh's senior diplomat in Hong Kong at that time, Chowdhury was asked to return to his country but he escaped from Hong Kong and entered Canada.

They were all sentenced to death in April 2001 in trials that Amnesty International reportedly declared were fair and unbiased. Five co-conspirators were hanged in Bangladesh last January, but Chowdhury continues to live in Toronto.

Canada won't deport him, as the Supreme Court ruled in 2001 that Ottawa could not extradite fugitives without obtaining assurances they would not be executed.

Chowdhury continues to be on the list of deportation, and is required to report to the Canada Border Agency every week. He maintains a very low profile and has consistently refused to speak to the media.

Ajit Jain in Toronto

Recommended by Rediff.com

NEXT ARTICLE

NewsBusinessMoviesSportsCricketGet AheadDiscussionLabsMyPageVideosCompany Email