A Chittagong divisional special court sentenced a father and son from Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, over allegations of acquiring illicit assets, concealing asset information and attempting to legalise unlawful wealth through collusion. On Thursday, Judge Mizanur Rahman sentenced Mohammad Abdullah to four years in prison and his father, Abul Bashar, to three years. The court delivered the verdict within seven working days.

According to Anti-Corruption Commission prosecutor Mokarram Hossain, Abdullah was also fined Tk84 lakh 45 thousand 858 for illicit asset acquisition and concealing asset information. The ACC had issued him a notice on April 27, 2019, requiring an asset statement, but he did not submit one within the stipulated period or seek an extension.

The ACC inquiry found assets worth Tk1 crore 10 lakh 23 thousand 65 in Abdullah’s name, against a stated lawful income source of Tk10 lakh. Investigators found Tk1 crore 23 thousand 65 to be inconsistent with known income. Abul Bashar bought land for Tk20 lakh and gifted it to Abdullah within three months. Neither convict was present for the verdict, and arrest warrants were issued.