The High Court today refused to grant bail to suspended director of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Khandaker Enamul Basir in a case filed over the transaction of Tk 40 lakh as bribe.

The court, however, issued a rule asking the ACC and government to explain in two weeks why Enamul Basir should not be granted bail in the case.

The bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice KM Hafizul Alam issued the rule following a petition filed by Enamul seeking bail in the case.

ACC's lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan told The Daily that HC did not grant bail to Khandaker Enamul Basir and therefore he cannot be released from jail.

Advocate Faruk Alamgir Chowdhury appeared for Basir, while Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin Manik represented the state.

On January 5 this year, Enamul Basir submitted the bail petition to the HC through his lawyer, claiming innocence as the ACC could not recover the money from his possession.

Earlier in July 16 last year, ACC Director Sheikh Md Fanafillah filed the case with ACC's Integrated District Office in Dhaka under the money laundering prevention act. The case accused Enamul Basir of taking Tk 40 lakh in bribe from suspended deputy inspector general of police Mizanur Rahman.

On June 24 last year, the ACC filed a case with its Integrated District Office in Dhaka against Mizan, his wife Sohelia Anar Ratna and nephew Mahmudul Hasan, a sub-inspector of police, on charges of amassing over Tk 3 crore beyond known sources of income.

In May, 2018, ACC launched an inquiry into the wealth of Mizan, tasking Enamul Basir with the job.

Following a TV news report -- in which Mizan alleged that Enamul Basir took the bribe from him for clearing him of corruption charges -- ACC formed a three-member investigation committee headed by Fanafillah and suspended Basir.