Bangladesh
ACC-filed Case Former state minister for Home Affairs Babar sentenced to eight years in prison
Dhaka, October 12: Former state minister for Home Affairs Lutfuzzaman Babar has been sentenced to eight years in prison by the ACC on charges of illegal acquisition of assets and concealment of information. At the same time, 6 crore 79 lakh 49 thousand 216 taka owned by his Gulshan branch of Prime Bank has been confiscated in favor of the state.
Judge Mohammad Shahidul Islam of Dhaka's Special Judge's Court-7 pronounced the verdict on Tuesday (October 12). The court also sentenced the convicts to three years rigorous imprisonment under Section 26 (2) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2004 and five years rigorous imprisonment under Section 27 (1) of the same Act. At the same time, if he does not pay the fine of Tk 10,000, he will have to spend three more months in jail. However, the judge mentioned in the verdict that the punishment of these two sections will continue together.
Earlier, Babar was produced in court from jail around 10:45 am on Tuesday. After the verdict was announced, the court ordered to send him back to jail. Judge Mohammad Shahidul Islam of Dhaka Special Judge's Court-7 set the date for the verdict on October 4 after presenting arguments on behalf of the state and the accused.
A case of illegal acquisition of assets and concealment of information was filed against the accused, who was arrested by the joint forces during the previous caretaker government on May 28, 2007, at Ramna Police Station on January 13, 2008.
The case was filed by Mirza Zahidul Alam, Assistant Director, Integrated District Office, Chittagong-1. Following the investigation, ACC Deputy Assistant Director Rupak Kumar Saha filed a chargesheet in the court on July 16 of that year.
