The verdict in a corruption case against BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy has been deferred, as the Dhaka court was not ready to deliver the judgment on Thursday.
The Third Special Judge’s Court in Dhaka, presided over by Judge Md Abu Taher, set a new date of September 4, confirmed ACC prosecutor Ahmed Ali Salam.
Gayeshwar was present at the court to hear the verdict but left after learning about the deferment. His lawyer, Syed Nazrul Islam, said the court had fixed Thursday for pronouncement of judgment after hearing arguments from both sides on August 19.
According to case documents, Gayeshwar, in his wealth statement, showed two houses—one six-story building in Dhaka’s Rayerbazar with a declared construction cost of Tk 40.8 lakh and another house on inherited land in Keraniganj with a cost of Tk 15.04 lakh. The construction expenses were found to be Tk 25.36 lakh lower than estimates by the Public Works Department, which the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) identified as unexplained wealth.
Investigators also found electronic goods worth Tk 58,600 at his residence, which were not included in his declaration and were considered beyond known income sources.
The case further alleged that between 2004 and 2005, while serving as a ruling party leader, Gayeshwar used his influence to collect Tk 2.61 crore from Abdul Monem Ltd and Reza Construction. Including the house construction costs, electronic appliances, and money obtained through influence, his total illicit assets amounted to Tk 2.87 crore.
The case was filed with Ramna Police Station on January 5, 2009, by then ACC deputy director SM Mofidul Islam, who later submitted the charge sheet on July 5, 2009. The trial began on February 4, 2010, with charges framed against Gayeshwar. Out of 47 prosecution witnesses, 29 testified during the trial.
