The court of the first class judicial magistrate DG Kharshiing pronounced the verdict in presence of Salahuddin, his lawyer AP Mohanty told UNB.

“The court acquitted Salahuddin Ahmed and asked the state government to take necessary steps for his immediate repatriation,” he added.

Expressing satisfaction over the verdict, lawyer AP Mohanty said the verdict proved that his client is innocent.

Meanwhile, while taking to UNB over phone, Salahuddin Ahmed said that he is now waiting to return home.

“I hope the Indian government and local administration will take immediate steps for implementing the verdict,” he added.

He also said that he is very tired and sick, and asked the country’s people to pray as he can return home as soon as possible.

On October 16, the judicial magistrate court set a new date, October 26, for delivering the verdict in the case filed against Salahuddin under the Foreigners Act three years back.

After remaining missing for around two months, Salahuddin, a former state minister, was found in Shillong, the capital of northeastern Indian state of Meghalaya on May 11, 2015.

He was arrested for entering India without any valid documents. A case was filed against him under the Foreigners Act.

Later, Shillong police pressed charges against him in the case for intruding India.

However, BNP claimed that Salahuddin was picked up from a house in the city's Uttara area on March 10, 2015 allegedly by unidentified men who introduced themselves as detectives.