A Dhaka court yesterday sentenced Bismillah Group Managing Director Khaza Soleiman Anwar Chowdhury, his wife and the group's Chairman Nawrin Hasib, along with six others, to 12 years of rigorous imprisonment in absentia. They were convicted in a case concerning the laundering of Tk124.82 crore from Jamuna Bank Ltd.
The other convicts include Soleiman's father, Shafiqul Anwar Chowdhury, Bismillah Group's Deputy Managing Director Akbar Aziz Muttaki, General Manager Mohammad Abul Hossain Chowdhury, Manager Riazuddin Ahmed Shafi, Network Frame System Ltd's Chairman Akhter Hossain, and former Jamuna Bank Deputy Managing Director Mozammel Hossain.
Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun of Dhaka Special Judge's Court-5 handed down the sentence in their absence, also imposing a fine of Tk248.85 crore. The convicted individuals have been ordered to deposit this amount into the government treasury within 60 days.
In addition, the court directed the authorities to confiscate all movable and immovable properties of the convicts in favor of the state. The sentence will take effect upon the arrest or surrender of the fugitives.
Two others-Jamuna Bank's former Senior Assistant Vice Presidents Mohammad Morshedur Rahman and SM Zahidul Islam-were acquitted due to lack of evidence linking them to the crime.
The case stems from a complaint filed by ACC Deputy Assistant Director Al Amin with Motijheel Police Station on November 3, 2013. Over the course of the trial, the judge recorded statements from 22 prosecution witnesses, including the complainant.
In a related development, on September 10, 2018, a Dhaka court sentenced nine individuals, including Soleiman Anwar and NawrinHasib, to 10 years in prison for another money laundering case. The ACC has filed 11 additional cases involving 54 individuals in connection with the misappropriation of nearly Tk12 billion from five banks by the Bismillah Group.
