Ex-Jubo League leader Samrat walks out of jail

Former Jubo League leader Ismail Chowdhury Samrat has walked out of jail two and half years after he was arrested in connection with illegal casino business in the capital.

Earlier, the court granted him bail in four cases including corruption and money laundering charges.

Justice Al Asad Md Asifuzzaman of Dhaka Special Judge Court-6 granted the bail after a hearing on Wednesday.

Papers for his bail were sent to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) from Dhaka Central Jail. 

“The casino kingpin was released from jail around 4:30 pm after completion of all formal procedures. All documents of his bail order were sent to the hospital,” Dhaka Central Jail official Mahabubul Islam told media. 

In 2019, Samrat's name came up during the anti-casino operation of the law enforcement agencies. However, he remained absconding till being arrested. On 6 October 2019, RAB arrested Samrat and his associate Enamul Haque Arman, 56, from Alkora union under Chauddagram upazila of Cumilla district

At around 2pm on the same day, a team of the force led by RAB Executive Magistrate Sarwar Alam launched an operation at Samrat's office at Bhuiyan Trade Center in Kakrail. The executive magistrate sentenced him to six months in jail for illegally keeping animal skins in the office.

A narcotics case was also filed against him.

On 12 November 2019, ACC Deputy Director Jahangir Alam filed a case against Samrat for amassing wealth worth Tk2.99 crore by unlawful business means and other activities.

On 13 September 2020, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) filed a case with Ramna police station on charges of smuggling crores to Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia.

According to the CID report, Ismail Hossain Chowdhury Samrat and Enamul Haque Arman laundered over Tk232.38 crore to Singapore, while another former Jubo League leader, Khalid Mahmud Bhuiyan, siphoned over Tk8.84 crore to Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. Another Tk81 lakh was laundered to Singapore by Rajib Hossain Rana and Jamal Bhatara, and Tk83 lakh by Shariful Islam and Awlad.

Samrat owns property in Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai, and the US, worth Tk1,000 crore.