The Supreme Court of Bangladesh has upheld the High Court's decision to dismiss four cases against BNP's acting chairman Tarique Rahman, who was accused of extortion. The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court rejected the state’s petition for a leave to appeal, maintaining the High Court’s ruling that annulled the cases. The decision came on Sunday, led by Senior Justice Mohammad Ashfaqul Islam, with a bench of four judges.

In 2007 and 2008, Tarique Rahman filed separate petitions with the High Court seeking the cancellation of four extortion cases filed against him in different police stations in Dhaka. These cases had been initiated on charges of extortion, and the High Court issued orders after hearing initial arguments, subsequently giving its final ruling on October 23. The High Court bench, consisting of Justice A.K.M. Asaduzzaman and Justice Syed Enayet Hossain, declared the rule absolute and dismissed the cases.

The state then filed an appeal in the Supreme Court, requesting a review of the High Court's ruling. However, Tarique Rahman’s legal team, led by senior lawyers including Zainul Abedin and Mahbub Uddin Khokon, argued that the cases were politically motivated and aimed at harassing him during the regime of what they described as "fascist" rule under the Awami League. They maintained that the allegations against Tarique Rahman were baseless, fabricated, and intended for political gain.

The legal representatives of Tarique Rahman expressed satisfaction with the Supreme Court's decision, considering it a victory against what they described as politically motivated harassment. The ruling of the highest court in the country has effectively upheld the High Court’s previous judgment, ensuring that the charges against him remain nullified.