Harris handed 59 years behind bars

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A Dhaka court yesterday, for the third time, sentenced Harris Chowdhury, political secretary to detained former prime minister Khaleda Zia, to 59 years’ imprisonment in connection with giving a government automobile to his friend for using it.

Meanwhile, former BNP lawmaker Nurul Islam Moni and three of his party men were sentenced to 14 years’ rigorous imprisonment in absentia in connection with embezzlement of government relief materials.

CASE AGAINST HARRIS
Judge Moahmmad Azizul Haque of the Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s Court handed down the sentence on Harris, in absentia, dividing terms of offence into five parts.

The term of offence starts from February 13, 2002 and ends on January 31, 2007.

But the convict will have to serve only 10 years’ imprisonment if arrested or he surrenders, as the court gave the 10 years’ highest punishment for a term.

The court could not deliver the verdict against one of his accomplices Amin Badal, who used the automobile, as the proceedings of the case against him was earlier stayed on an order from the High Court (HC).

The court gave the verdict sentencing Harris to 44 years’ imprisonment under section 409 (Criminal breach of trust by public servant) of the Bangladesh Penal Code (BPC) while Tk 21 lakh as fine under section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. If he fails to pay the fine, he will have to serve another 15 years more in jail.

In his judgement, the court said the charges brought against Harris were proved beyond doubt and the punishment of the fugitive would be effective from the day of his arrest or surrender.

Earlier, the prosecution and the defence had completed their arguments and the court recorded statements of 16 prosecution witnesses.

The case was filed on March 25 this year as Harris allegedly, abusing power, got hold of a government automobile belonging to National Tea Company (NTC) and later handed it over to Amin Badal.

Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) Assistant Director Monayem Hossain, also the IO of the case, submitted the charge sheet against Harris and Badal on July 22.

Harris is on the run since the joint forces started clamping down on the alleged corrupt bigwigs.

He was earlier sentenced to three years imprisonment in connection with a case filed for not submitting his wealth statement to the ACC. He was also handed down three years’ simple imprisonment for possessing illegal foreign and local currencies at his Gulshan home.

Special Public Prosecutor Syed Mizanur Rhaman appeared before the court on behalf of the state.

CASE AGAINST MONI
Former BNP lawmaker Nurul Islam Moni and three of his party men were given 14 years’ rigorous imprisonment in absentia yesterday in connection with embezzling government relief materials, reports UNB from Barguna.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Md Shahjahan Majumder also fined them Tk 5,000 each in default of which they will carry additional one-year jail term.

The three other convicts are Patharghata upazila unit BNP president advocate Shamsuddin, general secretary Saiful Islam Jamal and party activist Jamal.

According to the prosecution, the army-led joint forces seized 79 pieces of corrugated iron (CI) sheets at the office of Patharghata upazila BNP on February 18 this year.

The court acquitted four other co-accused in the case “for lack of evidence”.

TRIAL OF SARWAR NIZAM
Former BNP lawmaker Sarwar Jamal Nizam goes on trial in a liquor case on November 8 in Chittagong.

The ex-Chittagong MP and his driver Mamunur Rashid were arrested with huge cache of foreign liquor in his sports utility vehicle in front of Chittagong Club on June 21 night.

Meanwhile, Divisional Special Judge’s Court yesterday indicted former Jamaat MP Shahjahan Chowdhury for concealing his actual wealth in his wealth statement submitted to the ACC.

Faisal Morshed Khan of Pacific Motors was also included in the case in connection with aiding Shahjahan in hiding an expensive car imported free of duty.

Shahjahan surrendered on Oct 30 before a court and is in jail now. The court set November 6-24 for the deposition of witnesses.

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