Dispose of graft case by April 18

The High Court yesterday ordered the trial court concerned with finishing the proceedings of money laundering cases filed against Destiny Group officials, by April 18 next year.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the graft cases with Kalabagan Police Station in July 2012, accusing 22 top officials of Destiny Group, including its Managing Director Mohammad Rafiqul Amin.

According to the cases' charge-sheet, top officials of Destiny misappropriated some Tk 4,200 crore through its tree plantation project and cooperative firm, and laundered the money abroad.

The bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice KM Hafizul Alam passed the order following a prayer from the lower court seeking more time to conclude the trial.

Earlier in August 2016, HC ordered the trial court to finish the proceedings in the case within 12 months, said Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan.

On June 24 this year, Judge Md Akhtaruzzaman of the trial court concerned sent a letter to Supreme Court registrar general, praying for more time.

The SC Registrar General Dr Md Zakir Hossain placed the letter to the chief justice for a decision, who later sent it to the bench for disposal.