HC acquits GK Shamim in money laundering case, overturning 10-year sentence
However, the state has announced its intention to appeal against the ruling
The High Court has acquitted government contractor and former Jubo League leader SM Golam Kibria Shamim—widely known as GK Shamim—who rose to notoriety during the anti-casino drives for tender manipulation and illegal arms possession, overturning his 10-year prison sentence.
The verdict was delivered today (7 August) by a High Court bench led by Justice ASM Abdul Mobin.
However, the state has announced its intention to appeal against the ruling.
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On 17 July 2023, a Dhaka court had sentenced GK Shamim to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment under the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012, in a case filed with Gulshan Police Station.
In the same case, seven of his bodyguards were each sentenced to four years in prison. The verdict was handed down by Judge Mohammad Nazrul Islam of Dhaka's Special Judge Court-10.
In addition to the custodial sentences, the court imposed a collective fine of Tk3,83,35,814. The judgment further stated that failure to pay the fine within 60 days would result in an additional one-year imprisonment for each convict. All eight were sent to prison following the ruling.
In his observations, the trial court judge had remarked, "Arms dealers, tender manipulators, and money launderers are devoid of principles. Though they may exploit ideology, they do not uphold it. They rapidly amass mountains of illicit wealth, obstructing the nation's development and undermining the economy. They are enemies of the state and the people. They must be collectively resisted in the interest of national progress and development."
Following the lower court's judgment, GK Shamim filed an appeal with the High Court. Today's ruling concludes that appeal.
