‘I do not have crores, ACC can take all my money’: Ex-CJ Khairul tells court during graft case hearing
While serving as chief justice, ABM Khairul Haque allegedly abused his position and submitted a false affidavit to secure a 10-katha plot from Rajuk
Former chief justice ABM Khairul Haque told a Dhaka court today (10 September) that he does not have crores and that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) may take all his money if it wants.
He made the statement during a hearing in which the court granted an ACC petition to show him arrested in a case over allegations of abusing power and providing false information to secure a 10-katha Rajuk plot.
Ibrahim Miah, acting judge of the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court, passed the order and ordered that he be sent back to jail.
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ACC lawyer Advocate Hafizur Rahman argued for the arrest order, while Khairul sought permission to address the court.
Standing before the judge, he said he applied for the Rajuk plot decades ago mentioning he lacked funds at the time and would pay after retirement. Khairul added that later, he cleared all dues and argued that not having money should not be treated as a crime.
The 81-year-old said he recently suffered a heart attack and is battling several illnesses. "Please consider my condition in your decision."
ACC lawyer Hafizur Rahman argued that the case is under proper investigation, details will emerge at trial and the court should show Khairul arrested.
Khairul then said, "After my retirement, the ACC never sent me any notice. I do not have crores. If it wants, the ACC can take all my money."
His lawyer, Advocate Monaim Nabi Shahin, sought bail, arguing that Khairul was an honest judge who struggled financially during his service years and has already repaid the outstanding amount. "He never sought a waiver of interest; Rajuk granted it on its own," he added.
When asked by the judge whether he has paid Rajuk's demanded sums, Khairul replied, "Whatever they asked, I paid… If Rajuk waived interest, that was its decision. I never requested it."
After hearing both sides, the court rejected his bail plea and granted the ACC's petition to show him arrested.
He was later taken back to jail under tight police security.
Case details
ACC Deputy Director Abdullah Al Mamun filed the case on 6 August, naming Khairul Haque and seven others as accused.
The other accused are: former Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) chairman Engineer Md Nurul Huda; members (Finance and Estate) AIM Golam Kibria; Md Abu Bakkar Sikder; (Planning) Md Anwarul Islam Sikder; (Estate) Akhtar Hossain Bhuiya; former joint secretary and member (Development) M Mahbubul Alam; and (Administration and Land) Nazmul Hai.
According to the case statement, Khairul Haque already owned a six-storey ancestral house on nearly 18 kathas of land on Naem Road in the capital.
However, while serving as chief justice, he allegedly abused his position and submitted a false affidavit to secure a 10-katha plot from Rajuk in violation of Rule 13 of the Dhaka Improvement Trust (Land Allotment) Rules, 1969.
He is also accused of violating the allotment conditions by failing to pay instalments with interest on time.
With the assistance of Rajuk officials, he allegedly managed to deposit the money five years after his retirement without paying accrued interest, thereby avoiding paying Tk4,74,240 in dues.
The ACC says this caused financial loss to the government and constitutes a punishable offence.
On 24 July this year, detectives from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested ABM Khairul Haque at his Dhanmondi residence.
He was sent to jail the same night in a case over the killing of Jubo Dal activist Abdul Kaiyum Ahad during the July Uprising protests in Jatrabari.
Later, on 30 July, he was placed on a seven-day remand in a case filed at Shahbagh Police Station, which accuses him of corruption and delivering fabricated, unlawful verdicts. He has remained in custody since.
