SC asks HC to rehear verdict scrapping Hafiz's acquittal

The Supreme Court yesterday upheld its earlier order that scrapped the acquittal of former BNP lawmaker Hafiz Ibrahim in a corruption case in which he was sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment in 2008.

A five-member bench of the Appellate Division of the SC headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha dismissed a petition filed by Hafiz seeking review of its judgment that on August 24 last year rescinded a High Court verdict acquitting him of the corruption charges.

A special judge's court on June 19, 2008 had sentenced Hafiz to 13 years' imprisonment for amassing wealth illegally and concealing information about his assets in the wealth statement submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission.

Following an appeal filed by Hafiz, the HC on October 17, 2011 acquitted him of the case.

On August 24 last year, after hearing an appeal filed by the ACC, the apex court scrapped the HC verdict and also asked it to rehear the appeal of Hafiz.

Later, Hafiz filed a petition with the SC seeking review of its order.

ACC's lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan told The Daily Star that the SC has upheld its last year's order that scrapped the HC verdict and also asked the court to rehear Hafiz's appeal.