Ex-DIG Mizan compelled to give Tk 40 lakh to Basir, lawyer claims

Defence lawyer for suspended Deputy Inspector General of Police Mizanur Rahman today told a court that his client was compelled to give Tk 40 lakh to the then ACC official, Khandaker Enamul Basir.

Mizan's lawyer Ehsanul Haque Shomaji made the comment while placing closing arguments in the case filed over taking and giving Tk 40 lakh as bribe.

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Shomaji argued that the conversation between Mizan and Basir, suspended director of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) who is another accused in the case, and statements of witnesses proved that his client was compelled to give the amount of money.

"The transaction was not a crime in the eye of law and Mizan should be acquitted as the prosecution has failed to prove the charges brought against my client," said Shomaji.

Judge Shaikh Nazmul Alam of the Special Judge's Court-4 of Dhaka heard the arguments and fixed February 6 for closing arguments on behalf of Basir in the case.

On January 24, the prosecution completed arguments and sought the highest punishment for the accused in the case.

Earlier the judge recorded statements of 12 prosecution witnesses, including complainant of the case.

The court framed charges against the two accused on March 18 last year.

On January 15 the same year, the ACC submitted a charge sheet against them for their alleged involvement in taking and giving Tk 40 lakh bribe.

The anti-graft body filed the graft case against the two for a transaction of Tk 40 lakh as bribe on July 16 of 2019.