Atiqullah Khan jailed for third time

A special court dealing with corruption charges yesterday sentenced detained daily Janakantha Editor Atiqullah Khan Masud to seven years' imprisonment in a case filed in connection with forging building design.
The court also handed down Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) official ATM Kamruzzaman seven years' imprisonment for abetting Atiqullah.
The two were also fined Tk 8.70 crore, in default of which they have to suffer three months more in jail.
Judge Khandaker Kamaluzzaman of Special Court-9, set up on Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban premises, delivered the verdict.
Atiqullah Khan was jailed for seven years each in two other cases on same charges on March 6 and 9.
ACC Deputy Assistant Director Mahmud Hasan filed the case against three persons on September 30, 2007.
Later, the name of Sohrab Miah, building inspector of Rajuk, was dropped from the charge sheet.
According to case statement, Atiqullah submitted a building design to Rajuk for constructing a 15-storey building in the capital's Segunbagicha.
Instead of getting the design approved by the authorised Rajuk committee, Kamruzzaman and Sohrab prepared fake documents saying that Rajuk had approved the building design.
Atiqullah Khan benefited Tk 8.70 crore through it.
Joint forces arrested Atiqullah Masud at Janakantha building in the capital's Eskaton on March 7 last year. He has been in custody since then.
Kamruzzaman, who has been absconding, was tried in absentia.