A Dhaka court yesterday rejected the bail petition of Jubo League General Secretary Mirza Azam and sent him to jail in a case filed against him by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for amassing wealth worth over Tk 53 lakh illegally and giving false information to the commission.
Judge Mohammad Azizul Haque of the Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court passed the order after Azam along with his lawyers appeared before the court and sought bail, as the High Court (HC) on July 14 asked him to surrender to the trial court within 10 days.
The trial court had earlier issued an arrest warrant against Azam as he has been absconding since the case was filed. The court passed the order following a plea by the investigation officer (IO) of the case.
Moving the bail petition, the lawyers for Azam argued that their client had earlier appeared before the HC and sought anticipatory bail in connection with the case.
After the hearing, the HC directed their client to surrender before the trial court within 10 days. The HC also said the trial court might consider the bail petition. So, their client appeared before the court, showing respect to the HC order, the lawyers added.
Opposing the bail petition, Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Ehsanul Haque Samaji said the trial court has no jurisdiction to entertain the bail petition.
After hearing from both sides, the court rejected the bail petition and send Azam to jail. It also asked the jail authorities to give him division in accordance with law.
On July 7, ACC Deputy Director SM Mofizul Islam, also the IO of the case, submitted the charge sheet of the case to Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's (CMM) Court showing 34 people as prosecution witnesses.
In the charge sheet, the IO mentioned that the charges brought against Azam were proved in primary investigation and he should be brought under trial.
The IO also prayed for dropping charges against Azam's wife Aleya Azam as the charges brought against her were not proved.
ACC Deputy Director Mobara Khanam on January 10 this year filed the case against the couple with Ramna Police Station.
In the case statement, the complainant said Azam accumulated wealth worth Tk 53,62,645 illegally and concealed information about his wealth worth Tk 64,34,295.
Aleya Azam was accused of abetting her husband.
CASE AGAINST RAFIQUL
The same court yesterday issued arrest warrants against Nurunnahar Lily, wife of detained former state minister for energy Prof Rafiqul Islam, and their son Mostafa Ashish Islam in connection with a graft case.
On July 14, ACC Assistant Director Mohammad Aminur Rahman, also the investigation officer (IO) of the case, submitted the charge sheet before the CMM Court, Dhaka, showing 23 people as prosecution witnesses.
On November 16 last year, ACC Deputy Director Monzur Morshed filed the case with Dhanmondi Police Station.
Rafiq's wife and son were accused of abetting him in amassing the illegal wealth.