Amassing Tk 2.57 crore illegally: Dhaka court grants bail to Habiganj AL leader

A Dhaka court today granted bail to an Awami League leader of Habiganj district unit in a case filed over amassing Tk 2.57 crore illegally, even though he violated higher court orders.

Metropolitan Magistrate Md Shahinur Rahman passed the order after Liakot Ali, Habiganj district AL General Secretary, surrendered before it seeking bail in the case.

During today's hearing, lawyer Mizanur Rahman Mamun told the court that his client got bail for a period of six weeks from the High Court on February 13 last year. In the meantime, the HC directed the accused to surrender before the Senior Special Judge's Court of Dhaka after expiry of the period.

Being instructed, his client surrendered before the Senior Special Judge's Court on March 27 the same year. The judge then fixed May 2 for hearing on the bail petition with the Lower Court Record (LCR).

But his client failed to appear before the court on that date. The Senior Special Judge KM Emrul Kayesh directed the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of Dhaka to issue arrest warrant against the accused.

After receipt of the order, the CMM Court issued arrest warrant against the accused on October 7 last year. Due to his client's illness, he could not appear before the court. So, his client should be granted bail considering his social status and illness.

ACC Special Public Prosecutor Mir Ahmed Ali Salam opposed the bail petition saying that the accused had violated the privilege of bail which he got from the High Court. The accused did not show any respect towards the court order. He has been absconding for a long time. Moreover, this court had no jurisdiction to grant bail in the graft case.

After hearing both sides, the magistrate dismissed the prosecution plea and granted bail to the accused upon a bond of Tk 5,000 with two guarantors.

On February 11 last year, the Anti-Corruption Commission filed a case against Liakot Ali with Ramna Police Station for amassing Tk 2.57 crore illegally.