BNP's Khandaker Mosharraf acquitted in money laundering case
Judge Abul Kashem of Dhaka's Special Judge Court-1 delivered the verdict today (22 August).
BNP Standing Committee member and former Health and Family Welfare minister Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain has been acquitted in a money laundering case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
Judge Abul Kashem of Dhaka's Special Judge Court-1 delivered the verdict today (22 August).
Mosharraf's lawyer, Taherul Islam Touhid, informed the media that the court acquitted him as the charges were not proven.
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Khandaker Mosharraf was present in court during the verdict announcement.
Speaking to reporters after the ruling, he said, "In 2012, a law was enacted requiring the declaration of foreign assets. In compliance with the 2013 law, I declared the assets owned by my wife and me abroad. Tax officials accepted my declaration and received taxes. However, based on that very declaration, a case was later filed against me."
"They could not prove any instance of money laundering from 2001 to 2006. My lawyers acknowledged that this case was merely a political vendetta against me. Because of this case, I had to go to jail and endure suffering. I thank the judge of the special court for delivering a fair verdict with courage," he added.
The ACC's Director Nasim Anwar filed the case against Mosharraf on 6 February 2014 at Ramna Model Police Station on charges of money laundering.
On 14 August of the same year, Nasim Anwar submitted the charge sheet against him. The court ordered the trial to begin on 28 October 2015 by framing charges against Mosharraf. During the trial, nine witnesses testified in court.
According to the case statement, Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, during his tenure as a minister, allegedly misused his power, engaged in corruption, and illegally laundered money abroad.
The ACC's investigation found that Mosharraf and his wife, Bilkis Akhter Hossain, jointly deposited £804,142.43 (equivalent to Tk95395381) in Lloyds TSB Offshore Private Bank in the UK. The investigation claimed that the money was laundered between 2001 and 2006 while he was in power.
