Awami League leader Shamim Osman was on Monday sentenced to three years jail in absentia for failure to submit statement of wealth of his and family members to the Anti-Corruption Commission.
This is the first verdict of the host of corruption cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission against political leaders and business tycoons.

The district senior special judge Abul Kuddus Mia completing the trial in 27 days pronounced the verdict on Monday. Shamim Osman was found guilty under section 26 (1), (2) (a) of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2004. His jail term will begin on the day of his arrest or surrender. Opposing the verdict defense counsel Siddiqur Rahman referred to the High Court order directing the ACC to accept the statement of wealth of Shamim Osman from his lawyer. The prosecution counsel contended that the High Court had not restricted the proceedings of the case or delivery of judgement. The defense counsel said he would move the higher court challenging the verdict.

Shamim Osman, an MP during Awami League 1996-2001 regime, was accused in a number of cases including murder. He had long lived in self-exile out of the country. He returned home at the fag end of last year but again fled following the crackdown against corruption and terrorism when the present caretaker government took over on January 12.

Meanwhile, district ACC deputy director who had filed the case on Monday with a magistrate assessed valuation of the home of Shamim Osman at Chashara. Poura ward commissioners were present.
Meanwhile another UNB report says: Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s court on Monday framed charges against Haris Chowdhury, political secretary to former prime minister, and Giasuddin Al Mamoon, business partner of BNP leader Tarique Rahman in corruption cases.

Judge M Mominullah framed the charges against Haris and Mamoon in separate cases. Charges against them said they have acquired huge wealth and money, which are beyond their known sources of income.
The cases were filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission for failure to submit in person the statement of their wealth within 72 hours of notices served on them.

Haris had gone into hiding since the crackdown on corrupt politicians and business tycoons by the army led joint forces following the present caretaker government took over on January 12.

Mamoon who was in the dock pleaded that he could not submit the statement of his wealth to ACC as he was in custody at that time. “I was arrested on January 31 and taken to police remand. I was kept blind folded, where I do not know. How could I submit the statement of my wealth,” Mamoon told the court.

The court set May 6 for beginning of the trial of the case against Haris Chowdhury and May 9 against Mamoon. The trial will be held in makeshift courts at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. Both of them were charged under sections of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act that provide a maximum punishment of three years jail with fine and confiscation of property. Charge hearing of the arms case against former minister Nazmul Huda came up in the same court on Monday.

But the hearing date was shifted to May 5 upon a petition by his counsel. Seeking adjournment, the counsel submitted that he is required to consult with the accused at the jail gate before the charge hearing. Judge Mominullah ordered for allowing the counsel to consult with Barrister Huda on or before May 5.

@ The Bangladesh Journal