The name Barrack Obama will remain etched in history as the first black President of the United States (POTUS). Soon, with a little more help from Donald Trump (Conservative/Independent), the US might be having its first woman president. I have always admired the guts of the lady. Despite such strides, the USA is posing a hurdle, we hope it is temporary, in the way of Bangladesh seeking to bring a killer to book.

The issue of letting a perpetrator of one of the most heinous crimes in human history sadly lowers the image and esteem of the US justice system among the freedom-loving people of Bangladesh, which must irk Barrack and Hillary and Heads of State before and after them considerably, because most of them had been voted to presidency as vocal advocates of freedom.

Prior to Ambassador Bernicat's Dhaka revelation on August 13, we had no clue about fugitive Rashed Chowdhury's status in the US. Now we know that the US has granted him political asylum, which means, as per American law, Chowdhury was able to prove (to them) that he would be persecuted (presumably in Bangladesh under government patronage) on account of his race, religion, nationality, political opinion, and social group.

POTUS, past, present and future, Chowdhury is a Bengali-speaking person (there are reasons I do not want to call him a Bangali), so no apparent problems with his race. He bears a Muslim name, so he should feel okay; at least he did till 1996. His nationality is same as that of crores of others, some even residing peacefully in the States. As far as political opinion is concerned, Bangladesh has many shades, some proponents eternally at loggerheads with each other, but they do not escape to another country. And socially, we are one of the most companionable, unreserved and talkative people in this Old Earth, assuming a new one is in the offing. Just look at the booming business our mobile companies are doing.

Why is Chowdhury a fugitive? Because he is one of the absconding killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujbur Rahman and 23 others (mostly his family), who were murdered in cold blood, on the gruesome dawn of August 15, 1975, in three separate premeditated military attacks. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was then the president of Bangladesh. Barrack Obama was then only 14 years old and Hillary twice as old. Yes! The peace-loving people of Bangladesh have been waiting long to sanctify the nation from a stigma that would shame any law-abiding people.

The president's son Sheikh Russel was three years younger than Obama at the time, but he too was gunned down most brutally by Chowdhury and company. The 11-year old wanted some water and got riddled with bullets instead. Also murdered were Sheikh shaheb's wife, his two adult sons and two daughters-in-law.

Let us imagine a scenario: an American citizen has committed a cold-blooded murder which was proven in his own country. He somehow escapes to Bangladesh and gets 'political asylum'. Would the US Administration not demand and then compel Dhaka, if needed, by economic and diplomatic sanctions, to hand over the criminal, although he will be persecuted in the States? So, why is the reverse so difficult and being made so fudgy? The government of Bangladesh, on behalf of its people, is seeking the extradition of Chowdhury because he has committed one of the vilest crimes in history. He has been tried, given the opportunity to defend himself, and found guilty.

The West occasionally builds an unjust wall against justice saying that if such killers are sent to places like Bangladesh they will face the death sentence; this assumption gives the impression to the rest of the world that there is no capital punishment in western countries. You are well aware, President Obama and aspirant Clinton, that capital punishment (aka the death sentence) exists in 32 states of the USA; that is well over 60 percent of the 51 states. If death as an appropriate punishment for nefarious crimes is legal in the States from Montana to Florida, from New Hampshire to California, why cannot you accept that reality in Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan. . . ?

As recently as last Sunday, the Supreme Court in India ruled: capital punishment in heinous crimes is not inhuman or barbaric and will not violate the right to life and liberty guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. I rest my case.

In 1975, Sheikh Mujib's two daughters escaped death because they were abroad. The elder of the two later became prime minister. The next time any US president shakes hands with Sheikh Hasina or Rehana, spare a prayer for them because you are greeting orphans, at least one killer of their parents is nestled and remains protected in your country.

Mr. Obama, your second and final term will end on January 20, 2017. Let the deportation of Chowdhury be your parting gift to the people of Bangladesh .And then perhaps, Ms.Hillary can virtuously assume office with her charismatic smile.

The author is a practising Architect at Basha Bari Ltd., a Commonwealth Scholar and Fellow in the UK, a Baden-Powell Fellow Scout leader and a Major Donor Rotarian.