The government has found no legal basis to arrest former President Mohammed Shahabuddin, despite demands from several political parties, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat, the minister said Shahabuddin resigned on health grounds and submitted his resignation to the Speaker in accordance with the Constitution. The Speaker accepted the resignation and is currently serving as acting president under constitutional provisions.
Salahuddin said that while political parties, including the National Citizen Party (NCP), are free to raise allegations and stage protests, the government has not found any legal grounds to take action against the former president.
He noted that Shahabuddin enjoyed constitutional immunity during his tenure, preventing criminal proceedings over actions taken while serving as president. However, allegations related to his activities before assuming office would be examined under existing laws.
Responding to media reports of an alleged conversation between Shahabuddin and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the minister said the government had no information to support the claims and called on media outlets to provide evidence if such allegations were made.
The home minister also said the former president would continue to receive all legal benefits and security protection, including support from the Special Security Force, the President's Guard Regiment, police, and other law enforcement agencies for six months following his resignation.
The National Citizen Party and Jamaat-e-Islami have called for Shahabuddin's arrest, but Salahuddin said those parties should explain the reasons behind their demands.
