Abuse of Power: HC sentences Rajuk stenographer to 11 years
In a rare move, the High Court yesterday convicted and sentenced a former stenographer of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) to 11 years' imprisonment, around two years after he was acquitted by a lower court in a corruption case.
The HC also ordered the former stenographer, Md Shafiullah, to surrender before the lower court within 15 days.
The HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice KM Hafizul Alam came up with the judgement after holding hearing on an appeal filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) challenging the lower court verdict.
The HC also scrapped the verdict delivered by the Special Judges Court-7 of Dhaka that acquitted Shafiullah of graft charges on November 21, 2017.
According to the case filed by ACC with Motijheel Police Station on October 10, 2013, Shafiullah abused his power and damaged documents on planning and records for constructing multi-storey buildings.
Deputy Attorney General AKM Alimuddin Manik told The Daily Star that the allegations against Shafiullah have been proven before the HC.
He said the HC sentenced Shafiullah to 11 years' imprisonment in three sections of Bangladesh Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1997.
Shafiullah was sentenced to two years' imprisonment in two sections of Bangladesh Penal Code each and seven years' imprisonment in the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1997, and the sentences will be enforced concurrently; therefore, he will serve seven years in jail, he said.
DAG Manik said that Shafiullah will have to serve jail term if the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court does not stay the HC verdict.
He also said this is a rare verdict, as the HC sentenced an accused who was acquitted by the trial court in a corruption case.
Barrister AKM Fakhrul Islam appeared for Shafiullah.
Comments