In a high-profile corruption case, controversial contractor Golam Kibria Shamim, widely known as GK Shamim, has been sentenced to five years and six months in prison.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed this case, accusing him of accumulating illegal wealth beyond known sources of income.
The court, however, acquitted his mother, Ayesha Akhter, of any wrongdoing in this case.
On Thursday, Judge Md. Rabiul Alam of Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-4 delivered the verdict. Alongside the prison sentence, Shamim has been fined 100,000 Taka.
If he fails to pay, he will have to serve an additional three months of simple imprisonment.
The court has also ordered the confiscation of assets worth 2.97 billion Taka that were illegally acquired by GK Shamim.
However, the court acquitted Shamim of money laundering charges, as they could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
His mother, Ayesha Akhter, was also acquitted of both illegal wealth accumulation and money laundering charges.
Bench Assistant Belal Hossain provided details of the court’s ruling.
After the verdict, ACC Prosecutor Mir Ahmed Ali Salam commented on the case, saying,
"The court has sentenced him based on the charges proven under Section 27(1) of the ACC Act. While we were able to prove money laundering charges, the court still acquitted him from those charges. We are satisfied with the verdict, but the commission will decide whether an appeal will be filed."
Initially, the case was scheduled for a verdict on February 17, but on that day, GK Shamim’s defense lawyer, Shahinur Islam, requested to re-cross-examine the investigation officer.
The court granted this request and postponed the verdict, scheduling further witness testimony and hearings.
After cross-examination, defense arguments, and rebuttal witnesses, the final date for the verdict was set for March 20.
This case dates back to October 21, 2019, when the ACC first filed charges against Shamim and his mother, alleging they had accumulated assets worth 2.97 billion Taka without any legitimate source of income.
ACC Deputy Director Md. Salahuddin filed the case at the ACC’s Integrated District Office-1.
The charge sheet was submitted to the court by ACC Deputy Director Md. Salahuddin on January 17, 2021.
Formal charges against the accused were framed on October 18, 2022, marking the official beginning of the trial.
According to the case details, GK Shamim accumulated assets worth 500 million Taka up until the 2018-2019 tax year.
Although his income tax returns included 402.14 million Taka, the ACC found no valid source for the remaining wealth.
During a raid on Shamim’s residence, authorities recovered 18.13 million Taka in cash, as well as 747,000 Taka in foreign currency.
The ACC also discovered fixed deposits worth 1.65 billion Taka in the names of Shamim and his mother, and additional business investments under Ayesha Akhter’s name totaling 435.74 million Taka.
Additionally, 363.51 million Taka in shares, vehicles, and other assets were found to have no legal source.
The investigation revealed that Shamim’s mother had no legitimate sources of income either.
As a result, the ACC filed the case, accusing them of acquiring 2.97 billion Taka in wealth that could not be explained through lawful means.
This verdict comes as a significant step in tackling corruption, but Shamim’s acquittal on money laundering charges raises questions that may lead to further legal action.
