Police have deposited Tk 7.4 million, two mobile phones, and clothing belonging to Thakurgaon district Jamaat-e-Islami chief Belal Uddin Pradhan to the Nilphamari Chief Judicial Magistrate Court treasury. Nilphamari Superintendent of Police Sheikh Zahidul Islam confirmed the submission on Wednesday, a day before the 13th National Parliamentary Election.

Belal Uddin Pradhan, a teacher and resident of Hajipara in Thakurgaon Sadar, was detained on February 11 after arriving at Saidpur Airport from Dhaka on a US-Bangla flight. During a routine security check, authorities found the large sum of cash in his possession. Unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for the source and purpose of the money, he was taken into custody by a joint security team. He later fell ill and was admitted to Saidpur Hospital before being transferred to Rangpur Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.

Belal Uddin Pradhan claimed the money was legally earned from his business and that he had a no-objection certificate from Dhaka Airport authorities.