HC upholds sentences of BNP leaders Aman, Tuku in graft cases

The High Court (HC) on Tuesday upheld the trial-court verdict that sentenced BNP leader Amanullah Aman to 13 years' jail and his wife Sabera Aman to three years' in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
It also upheld another trial-court verdict that handed down nine years' jail sentence to another BNP leader, Iqbal Hasan Mahmood Tuku, in a graft case.
The HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Khizir Hayat delivered the verdicts after dismissing the appeals filed by Aman, Tuku and Sabera challenging the lower court verdicts on them.
The HC also directed the accused to surrender before the lower courts concerned in two weeks in connection with the cases, said Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin Manik. He appeared in the court hearing representing the state.
Meanwhile, the High Court has also observed that the persons who are involved and engaged in politics should not run after money and properties.
In the observation the High Court said, "There are many ways and means to make money and properties restoring to lawful businesses and other professions, but the politics and politicians do not come within the purview of a profession to make a huge amount of money and properties in their name and in the name of their dependents."
The HC observation further said, "The politicians engage in politics with a view to sacrificing themselves for the welfare of the people and the country and it is a kind act of great sacrifice and dedication for the wellbeing of the people and the country as well. The politicians being 'custodian' cannot be 'spoiler'."
A special court on June 21, 2007 sentenced Aman to 13-year imprisonment for amassing wealth illegally and concealing information in his wealth statement. His wife Sabera was also sentenced to three years' imprisonment by the same court as she was found guilty of abetting the offence.
Following an appeal filed by the couple, the HC on August 16, 2010 acquitted them from the graft charges. The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) on May 26, 2014 cancelled the HC verdict and asked it to hold a fresh hearing on their appeals.
The Anti-Corruption Commission on March 21, 2007 filed a case with Mohammadpur Police Station accusing Tuku of illegally amassing wealth worth Tk 25.7 million and concealing information in his wealth statement.
A special court on November 15, 2007 sentenced Tuku a nine-year jail term in the case. Following an appeal, the HC on June 16, 2011 acquitted the BNP leader from the corruption charges. The SC on January 27, 2014 cancelled the HC verdict and asked it to hold a fresh hearing on his appeal.
Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokan appeared in the court hearing on behalf of BNP leader Aman and his wife, Barrister Ajmalul Hossain appeared for Iqbal Hasan Mahmood, Attorney General AM Amin Uddin and Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin Manik represented the state and lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan appeared for the ACC.

bikashju@gmail.com