BNP leader Khandaker Mosharraf acquitted in graft case

Former health minister and BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain was acquitted today in a case filed over amassing illegal wealth worth Tk 12.51 crore and concealing information of Tk 3.11crore in his wealth statement.
Judge Md Monjurul Hossain of Dhaka Special Judge’s Court-8 handed down the sentence in presence of the BNP leader at the courtroom, saying the charges brought against him was not proven.
In the verdict, the judge said Khandaker Mosharraf was acquitted from the charges of the case as the prosecution completely failed to prove the charges brought against him.
Soon after the acquittal order, Mosharraf expressed his satisfaction and told journalists that he got justice from the court after 16 years.
He further said the case was filed just to harass him.
Earlier, the prosecution and defence completed their arguments and the judge recorded statements of 20 prosecution witnesses, including the complainant of the case.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on January 10, 2008 filed a case with Ramna Police Station against and his wife Bilkis Hossain on charges of amassing illegal wealth worth Tk 12.51 crore and concealing information about Tk 3.11crore in their wealth statement.
After an investigation, the ACC pressed charges against the couple on April 13, 2008.
But the trial proceedings against Bilkis was quashed by the High Court after she filed a writ petition against the order of framing charge, said Advocate Md Borhanuddin.
Earlier on November 28, another Dhaka court acquitted Mosharraf and two others in a case filed over embezzlement of Tk 49,07,808 from the national exchequer by misusing a World Bank fund.
Mosharraf was also cleared of Barapukuria coal mine corruption case on November 27. BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and former home minister and BNP leader Air Vice Marshal (retd) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury were also relieved from the same case.
On August 22, the same court acquitted Mosharraf in another case filed on charges of laundering over Tk 9.53 crore to the United Kingdom.