A Dhaka court has sentenced Enamul Haque Enu and his brother Rupon Bhuiyan, leaders of the Gendaria Thana wing of the Awami League (AL) to 10 years' imprisonment each in another money laundering case, report agencies.
Judge Nur-e-Alam Bhuiyan of Dhaka Special Judges Court-8 delivered the verdict on Wednesday.
In addition to the prison sentences, the court fined the two brothers Tk 646.2 million. If they fail to pay the fine, they will have to serve an additional six months of prison.
However, the court acquitted eight other accused after finding that their involvement in the offence could not be proven.
Those acquitted are: Saiful Islam, Tuhin Munshi, Nobir Hossain Shikdar, Joygopal Sarkar, Pavel Rahman, Shahidul Haque Bhuiyan, Rashidul Haque Bhuiyan, and Merajul Haque Bhuiyan Shiplu.
According to court bench assistant Fazlur Rahman, Enu and Rupon were brought from prison to the courtroom before the verdict was announced. After the judgment, the court issued commitment warrants, and they were sent back to prison to serve their sentences.
Dhaka Wanderers Club shareholder Enu was the vice-president of the Gendaria Thana Awami League, while his brother Rupon served as the party's joint general secretary at the thana level.
As part of the nationwide crackdown on casino operations at sports clubs in Dhaka, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) conducted raids on Sept 24, 2019, at the homes of Enu, Rupon, one of their employees, and a friend.
During the operation at their residence, "Mumtaz Villa" on Lal Mohan Saha Street in Wari, RAB recovered Tk 265.5 million in cash from an iron safe, Fixed Deposit Receipts (FDRs) worth Tk 51.5 million, nearly one kilogram of gold jewellery, a large amount of foreign currency, and six firearms.
