HC grants bail to graft-convict Sheikh Helal

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The High Court (HC) Thursday granted interim bail to jailed Awami League MP Sheikh Helal Uddin and his wife Rupa Chowdhury in a graft case, reports UNB.
Helal, also cousin of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in addition secured interim bail in an extortion case.
An HC division bench comprising Justice M Shamsul Huda and Justice Abu Bakar Siddiquee granted them bail while admitting their appeals against the trial court verdict for hearings.
On May 9, fugitive Helal couple was sent to jail on surrender to a designated trial court. Later they were shifted to the Sikder Medical College Hospital in Gulshan following a court order.
On February 24, 2008, a special court during the military-backed caretaker government sentenced Sheikh Helal for 13 years and his wife for 3 years in absentia in a graft case.
The special court had found Helal guilty of amassing wealth illegally and concealing information about his wealth submitted to the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC), and his wife of abetting her husband in protecting the wealth he illegally acquired.