NN Online:
A Dhaka court has sentenced controversial contractor Golam Kibria Shamim, widely known as GK Shamim, to five years and six months of rigorous imprisonment in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over illegal wealth accumulation. His mother, Ayesha Akter, has been acquitted in the same case.
The verdict was announced on Thursday (March 27) by Judge Md Rabiul Alam of Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-4.
In addition to the prison sentence, GK Shamim has been fined BDT 1 lakh, with an additional three months of simple imprisonment if the fine remains unpaid. The court also ordered the confiscation of BDT 297.08 crore worth of illegal assets belonging to Shamim in favor of the state.
However, the court acquitted him of money laundering charges, citing insufficient evidence. His mother, Ayesha Akter, was also cleared of both money laundering and illegal wealth accumulation allegations.
Bench Assistant Belal Hossain confirmed the court’s decision. Responding to the verdict, ACC Prosecutor Mir Ahmed Ali Salam stated, “The court found GK Shamim guilty under Section 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act. Although we successfully presented the money laundering charges, the court still acquitted him on that count. We are satisfied with the verdict, but the commission will decide whether to appeal.”
Earlier, the case was initially set for a verdict on February 17, but Shamim’s defense lawyer, Shahinur Islam, requested a re-examination of the investigation officer. The court granted the request and reopened witness testimonies, concluding final arguments before scheduling the verdict for March 20.
On October 21, 2019, the ACC’s Deputy Director Md Salahuddin filed the case against GK Shamim and his mother at the ACC’s Integrated District Office-1. The charges alleged that they amassed BDT 297.08 crore worth of wealth beyond known income sources.
The ACC submitted the charge sheet on January 17, 2021, and formal trial proceedings began on October 18, 2022.
The case’s First Information Report (FIR) states that by the 2018-2019 fiscal year, Shamim had acquired immovable assets worth BDT 50 crore. While his income tax records mentioned BDT 40.21 crore, the ACC could not verify legal sources for the full amount.
Additionally, cash seizures from Shamim’s residence included BDT 1.81 crore, foreign currency worth BDT 7.47 lakh, fixed deposits worth BDT 165.27 crore under his and his mother’s names, and business investments totaling BDT 43.57 crore. Further assets included shares in GK B&C Company, luxury vehicles, and other fixed deposits valued at BDT 36.35 crore.
During the anti-casino crackdown in September 2019, Shamim was arrested from his residence in Niketan, Dhaka.
With the court’s latest decision, Shamim will now serve his sentence, while authorities will proceed with the seizure of his illicit assets.
