A Dhaka court has acquitted BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman and all other accused in the Tk21 crore bribery case, which involved allegations of attempting to suppress the murder case of Bashundhara Group's IT specialist, Sabbir Ahmed.
On Thursday (20 March), Judge Md Abu Taher of Dhaka's Special Judge Court-3 delivered the verdict, clearing Tarique Rahman along with:
- Ahmed Akbar Sobhan (Shah Alam), chairman of Bashundhara Group
- Former state minister for home affairs, Lutfozzaman Babar
- Tarique Rahman’s PS, Mian Nur Uddin Apu
- Abu Sufian
- Kazi Salimul Haque Kamal
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case on 4 October 2007, and the charge sheet was submitted to the court on 24 April 2008.
Later, on 14 July 2008, the court framed charges against eight individuals, including former minister Babar.
According to the prosecution, a meeting took place at Babar’s government residence on Bailey Road, where Tarique Rahman and Babar allegedly demanded Tk100 crore from Shah Alam to suppress the Sabbir Ahmed murder case.
Eventually, a deal was struck for Tk50 crore, of which Tk21 crore was paid.
As per the charge sheet, on 20 August 2006, Abu Sufian, a director of Bashundhara Group, handed over Tk1 crore in cash to Tarique Rahman’s PS, Apu at Hawa Bhaban.
Babar received Tk5 crore in cash through Abu Sufian, which was deposited with Kazi Salimul Haque Kamal.
The remaining Tk15 crore was paid through 20 cheques, issued from different branches of Prime Bank to Salimul Haque Kamal on Babar’s instructions.
After years of legal proceedings, the court acquitted all accused, citing lack of sufficient evidence to support the charges of bribery and corruption.
