Ex-Jubo League leader Samrat sentenced to 20 years in jail in graft case
In addition to the jail term, the court fined Samrat Tk20 lakh. In the event of non-payment, he will be required to serve an additional year in prison.
A Dhaka court has sentenced former Jubo League leader Ismail Hossain Chowdhury Samrat to 20 years in prison in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for acquiring wealth illegally.
Judge Md Zakaria Hossain of Dhaka Special Judge's Court-6 delivered the verdict today (25 February), handing down 10-year prison terms under Section 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004.
The court also hit him with a fine of Tk10 lakh, with an additional six months of imprisonment in default.
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In addition, under Sections 4(2) and 4(3) of the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012, he has been sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment and fined Tk10 lakh, with an additional six months of imprisonment in the event of non-payment.
The court also specified that the sentences will run consecutively.
The verdict stated that the illegal assets of the accused mentioned in the chargesheet will be confiscated in favour of the state.
Confirming the matter, Fakir Zahidul Islam, the upper-division bench assistant of the court, said the prosecution concluded arguments on 9 February.
The formal recording of testimonies ended on 2 February.
The court recorded statements from all 21 witnesses named in the chargesheet.
The case was filed on 12 November 2019 by an ACC deputy director, Md Jahangir Alam, accusing Samrat of amassing Tk2.94 crore beyond known income sources.
The chargesheet was submitted on 26 November 2020.
On July 17 last year, the same court framed charges against Samrat and ordered the start of the trial.
As the accused was absconding at the time of charge framing, the court cancelled his bail and issued an arrest warrant.
Samrat has remained a fugitive since then.
Samrat was arrested alongside his associate Enamul Haque Arman in Cumilla on 6 October, 2019, during a nationwide anti-casino crackdown. While he secured bail on 22 August, 2022, he later went into hiding following the commencement of the trial.
