Firoz was sentenced to 10 years rigorous imprisonment for amassing wealth illegally and to three years simple imprisonment for concealing information in his wealth statement submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

"Both the sentences will run consecutively," says the court.

The court also fined Firoz Tk 10 lakh, in default he is to suffer another year in jail.

However, the CBA leader's wife Rawshan Ara was acquitted of the charge, as she was not found guilty of abetting her husband in acquiring wealth through dishonest means.

The court also directed the government to confiscate Firoz's illegal wealth worth over Tk 1.35 crore, which is disproportionate to his known sources of income.

Judge Ashraf Hossain of the Special Court-5 delivered the verdict in a courtroom set up at the MP Hostel in the national parliament complex yesterday afternoon.

On February 18, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) asked 50 corruption suspects, including Firoz Mia, to submit their wealth statements. The joint forces arrested the CBA leader on February 4. He submitted his wealth statement to the commission on February 25 through his representatives.

On March 20, ACC Deputy Director Mobara Khanam filed a corruption case with Ramna Police Station against Firoz Mia for acquiring huge properties illegally.

According to the case, an ACC investigation revealed that Firoz owned Tk 1.35 crore and did not mention having Tk 55 lakh in his statement submitted to the commission.

The commission officials said though Firoz was a technician, he earned a huge amount of money as a CBA leader.

On June 4, Mobara Khanam, also the investigation officer (IO) of the case, submitted the charge sheet before CMM's Court.

Judge M Ashraf Hosain, after examining the prosecution witnesses and records, found the sacked CBA leader guilty.

Firoz joined BTTB in 1973 as a lineman and was promoted to the post of sub-assistant engineer in 2001. Before losing job, his monthly salary was Tk 8,525.