The High Court yesterday scrapped the 10-year jail sentence against Giasuddin Al Mamun in a corruption case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission adjudging the conviction against him illegal.
The court also acquitted Mamun's wife Shahina Yeasmin, who was sentenced to three years' imprisonment in the same case.
Earlier on March 27, 2008, a special court had sentenced Mamun, a close aide to BNP leader Tarique Rahman, 10 years and his wife to three years of rigorous imprisonment in the case filed on charge of amassing wealth worth Tk 111.3 crore illegally.
The HC bench of Justice A K M Asaduzzaman and Justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman delivered the verdict following two separate appeals filed by Mamun and his wife.
The court acquitted Mamun off the charges, as Delwar Hossain, former secretary of ACC who had issued a notification to Mamun on February 18, 2007, asking for his wealth statement, was not authorised to do so.
The conviction against Mamun was proven illegal as the corruption case filed against him was based on that illegal notice, the court said.
The court also acquitted Shahina Yeasmin on grounds of implicating her in the case without issuing any notification, said Shah Monjurul Hoque, the counsel for Mamun and his wife.
“Mamun, who is currently in jail, can't be released following yesterday's HC verdict, as he is accused in other cases,” he said, adding, “Shahina was released on bail.”
Mamun filed the appeal against his conviction with the HC in 2008, while Yasmin filed the appeal in 2010.
Barrister Rafique-ul Huq appeared for Mamun and his wife, while Khurshid Alam Khan argued for ACC.
“The ACC would now issue fresh notice to Mamun and his wife, asking them to submit their wealth statements,” Khurshid Alam Khan told The Daily Star.
He said they would also move an appeal before the Supreme Court against the HC verdict.