Salahuddin's extortion verdict Jan 10
Friday, 28 December 2007
The verdict in a Tk 10 million (1 crore) extortion case against BNP leaders Salahuddin Ahmed and Quazi Salimul Haque will be delivered on Jan 10, reports bdews24.com.
Judge Md Ashraf Hossain of Special Judge's Court-5 fixed the date for delivery of the verdict after hearing the closing statements by state and defence lawyers Thursday.
Salahuddin, former state minister for communications, is charged with taking Tk 10 million in bribes from contractor Mir Zahir Hossain and his elder brother former FBCCI President Mir Nasir Hossain on Feb 14, 2005.
The bribe money was allegedly transacted through a bank account belonging to Salimul, who has been co-accused in the case for aiding Salahuddin in the extortion.
Defence lawyer Azizur Rahman Chowdhury claimed Salahuddin Ahmed was innocent, and that the state had failed to prove the case against his client.
State counsel Mosharraf Hossain Kajal told the court: "We have succeeded in proving the crime of the accused persons through specific information and deposition of the witnesses."
"I appeal for highest punishment for the accused."
The Anti-Corruption Commission filed the case against Salahuddin and Salimul on May 29. Charges were framed on Oct 28, and witnesses were examined from Oct 31. In total, 26 witnesses testified for the state.
Judge Md Ashraf Hossain of Special Judge's Court-5 fixed the date for delivery of the verdict after hearing the closing statements by state and defence lawyers Thursday.
Salahuddin, former state minister for communications, is charged with taking Tk 10 million in bribes from contractor Mir Zahir Hossain and his elder brother former FBCCI President Mir Nasir Hossain on Feb 14, 2005.
The bribe money was allegedly transacted through a bank account belonging to Salimul, who has been co-accused in the case for aiding Salahuddin in the extortion.
Defence lawyer Azizur Rahman Chowdhury claimed Salahuddin Ahmed was innocent, and that the state had failed to prove the case against his client.
State counsel Mosharraf Hossain Kajal told the court: "We have succeeded in proving the crime of the accused persons through specific information and deposition of the witnesses."
"I appeal for highest punishment for the accused."
The Anti-Corruption Commission filed the case against Salahuddin and Salimul on May 29. Charges were framed on Oct 28, and witnesses were examined from Oct 31. In total, 26 witnesses testified for the state.