School teacher cleared of theft charge after 10 years

Abu Bakkar Siddique, a primary school teacher in Cox's Bazar, was suspended as a complaint of theft was filed against him in 2010. 

Then Abu Bakkar, who worked at Rajakhali Faizunnesa Government Primary School, had to ply rickshaw to support his family and cover the expense of the case.

Mohammad Mudasser Murad, a teacher at Napitkhali Government Primary School of the area, alleged in the case that Abu Bakkar stole Tk6,000.  Along with filing the case, he also complained that Abu Bakkar physically assaulted him.

On September 30, Judicial Magistrate Rajib Kumar Deb of the Chakaria Senior Judicial Magistrate's Court passed an order declaring Abu Bakkar innocent.

Assistant Public Prosecutor Advocate Shahidulla Chowdhury, also the president of Chakaria Bar Association, confirmed the news to The Business Standard on Saturday.

The court gave an order to take legal action against the plaintiff, a doctor, and the investigating officer of the case. 

Also, it asked to cancel the suspension order of Abu Bakar which was issued by the Cox's Bazar Primary Education Office.

And the court issued an arrest warrant against Mudasser and asked the Directorate General of Health Services to take action against Dr Md Saiful Islam, residential medical officer of Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital, for issuing fake medical certificate – approving the claim that the plaintiff was physically assaulted. 

Abu Bakkar told The Business Standard that he was in training at Cox's Bazar Primary Teacher's Training Institute along with Mudasser in 2006. 

A friendly football match was held between the teachers at that time. Based on a dispute that arose during the match, Mudasser locked in a debate with some teachers including Abu Bakkar.

"I was accused in a case, filed by Mudasser in 2010 for no reason, whose wounds I have been carrying for a decade," said Abu Bakkar.