Abdus Salam, the complainant of the long-drawn-out drug case against Rajshahi farmer Ahad Ali, yesterday appeared before the court for the first time in 24 years since filing of the case.

A blatant miscarriage of justice

As his name was called out, Ahad Ali stepped inside the courtroom and stood in the dock with both hands pressed together in a gesture of mercy, staring at the judge with pleading eyes.