Special Divisional Judge Mohammad Habibur Rahman also ordered the confiscation of Bhuiyan's movable and immovable properties and said Bhuiyan would have to spend an additional three months in jail if he fails to pay the Tk 10 thousand fine, reports our Chittagong correspondent.

Bhuiyan's lawyer Salehuddin Mahmud later told reporters that they will appeal in High Court against the verdict.

Bhuiyan's name became synonymous with unchecked violence and corruption during the last BNP-Jamaat rule. The former MP from Khagrachhari was also accused of provoking polarisation between indigenous communities and Bangalee settlers in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) when he was the chairman of CHT Development Board.

Bhuiyan's relatives and several local BNP leaders and activists were seen weeping after the verdict while many people distributed sweets to 'celebrate' the verdict.

Our Khagrachhari correspondent reports: The verdict was given according to the rules 15 (b) of the Emergency Powers Act, 2007 and Bhuiyan is to serve 10 years and pay a fine of Tk 10 thousand under section 27, serve seven years under section 2 and three years under section 25 (2) of the ACC Act.

Bhuiyan was arrested at the start of the crackdown on corruption on February 4 and he submitted his wealth statement to the ACC on February 25.

ACC Assistant Director Nurul Alam filed a case with Khagrachhari Sadar Police Station on March 21 after his investigation found that Bhuiyan had concealed Tk 6 crore 36 lakh 29 thousand and 354.

Following a charge sheet submitted by police on June 6, the court framed the charge against him on June 18. The court examined 62 out of 84 prosecution witnesses during the trial.