Graft case against Babar: Verdict on Oct 12

A Dhaka court today fixed October 12 to deliver judgment of a graft case against former state minister for home affairs Lutfozzaman Babar.

After the conclusion of closing arguments, Judge Md Shahidul Islam of Special Judge Court-7 of Dhaka set the date for delivering the verdict.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

During today's hearing, the prosecution told the court that they were able to prove the charges against Babar, and sought the highest punishment for the accused. The defence sought acquittal of their client as "the prosecution failed to prove charges against him."

Earlier, the court recorded statements of seven prosecution witnesses, including the complainant of the case.

The Anti-Corruption Commission filed the case with Ramna Model Police Station on January 13, 2008, against Babar for amassing illegal wealth worth Tk 7.5 crore.

ACC Deputy Director Rupok Kumar Saha, also the investigation officer of the case, submitted a charge sheet against Babar to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court of Dhaka on July 16, 2008.

The trial court accepted charges on July 23 of the same year. The charges were framed against him on August 12 of 2008.

On October 30, 2007, Babar received a sentence of 17 years rigorous imprisonment (RI) for possessing illegal firearms and ammunition at his Gulshan residence in the capital.

Previously, Babar was also sentenced to death in the 10-truck arms haul and August 21 grenade attack cases.