A special court yesterday sentenced former state minister for communications Salahuddin Ahmed to seven years' imprisonment for taking Tk 1 crore in bribe from a contractor.
The court acquitted former lawmaker Qazi Saleemul Huq, managing director of GQ Ball-Pen Industries Ltd, as the charge brought against him for abetting Salahuddin in extorting the money was not proved.
The Fifth Special Court of Judge Ashraf Hossain also fined Salahuddin Tk 1 crore, in default of which he will have to serve another year in jail. The court ordered confiscation of the money Salahuddin took as bribe.
The verdict was given under section 5(2) (d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1947 for abuse of power and corruption by taking bribes.
Reading out excerpts from the judgment, the judge said the act of Saleem, who is currently absconding, in abetting Salahuddin either by instigating or conspiring or aiding was not proved and he is not found guilty.
Salahuddin and lawyers of both the defence and prosecution were present when the judgment was delivered.
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Deputy Director Shafiqul Islam filed the case against Salahuddin and Saleemul with Dhanmondi Police Station on May 25 for taking Tk 1 crore bribe from Mir Zahir Hossain, owner of construction firm Mir Akter Hossain Ltd.
ACC Assistant Director Ashraful Islam investigated the case and the charge sheet was submitted on September 9.
Salahuddin took the bribe from Mir Zahir through Saleemul's account in exchange for letting Zahir continue uninterruptedly the construction work of Rajshahi-Natore, Rupganj-Gulta, Kayetpara-Faridpur roads under DFID projects worth Tk 4.16 crore.
The bribe was taken in a cheque on February 14, 2005 and the cheque was encashed on February 17 from the Moghbazar branch of NCC Bank, the prosecution lawyers said.