HC clears way for graft trial against Destiny

The High Court today cleared way for lower court to continue trial proceedings against Destiny group officials in two money laundering cases involving Tk 4,200 crore.

The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice JBM Hassan summarily rejected two separate appeals filed by Destiny 2000 officials challenging their indictment.

On August 24 this year, a Dhaka court indicted Rafiqul Amin, Destiny President Lt Gen (retd) Harun-Ar-Rashid and its Chairman Mohammad Hossain 48 others in the two cases filed by Anti Corruption Commission.

Rafiqul and Hossain then filed two separate criminal appeals with the HC challenging the lower court's indictment order. In the appeals, they also prayed to the HC to stay the Dhaka court order.

On November 13, the Supreme Court granted conditional bail to Rafiqul and Hossain in the cases, saying that they will get released on bail only if they pay the government Tk 2,800 crore in six weeks by selling 35 lakh matured trees planted under the company's tree plantation project.

The money would be distributed among the investors affected by the company, the apex court said, adding that if the two fail to manage Tk 2,800 crore by selling the trees, they would have to deposit Tk 2,500 crore in cash to the government fund for getting released on bail in the cases.