Appellate Division stays sentences of BNP leader Mir Nasir, son Mir Helal

The Appellate Division has stayed the 13-year prison sentence of BNP leader and former state minister Mir Mohammad Nasiruddin and the three-year sentence of his son, BNP Central Co-Organising Secretary Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, in a corruption case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

The court has also granted them permission to appeal against the High Court's verdict.

The order was passed today (16 March) by an Appellate Division bench led by Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam, granting separate leave to appeal for both individuals. Barrister Ragib Rauf Chowdhury represented them in court.

The case was originally filed by the ACC on 6 March 2007 at Gulshan Police Station, accusing Mir Nasir and Mir Helal of acquiring illegal assets and concealing asset information.

A Special Judge's Court sentenced Mir Nasir to 13 years in prison and Mir Helal to three years on 4 July 2007.

Both appealed the verdict, and the High Court acquitted Mir Nasir on 10 August 2010 and Mir Helal on 2 August the same year.

However, the ACC challenged the acquittal, and on 4 July 2014, the Appellate Division cancelled the High Court's verdict, ordering a rehearing of the appeals.

Following the Appellate Division's directive, the High Court bench of Justice AKM Abdul Hakim and Justice Fatema Nazib reheard the case and delivered a verdict on 19 November 2019, upholding the sentences. 

Mir Nasir and Mir Helal later surrendered and filed a leave to appeal, which led to today's order by the Appellate Division.