Babar Sentenced to 8 Years Jail in Graft Case

In a case filed against former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar on grounds of accumulating unlawful riches worth Tk 7.5 crore, a Dhaka court sentenced him to 8 years in prison on Tuesday.

After hearing both the prosecution and defense final arguments in the case, Judge Mohammad Shahidul Islam of Dhaka Special Judges Court-7 issued the order.

The prosecution informed the court during the closing hearing that they were able to prove the claims against Babar and that he deserved the harshest punishment possible.

Furthermore, the defense counsel requested that their client be acquitted, arguing that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges against him. On January 13, 2008, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed a case against Babar with Ramna police, accusing him of fraudulently collecting Tk 7.05 crore.

On July 16, 2008, ACC Deputy Assistant Director Rupok Kumar Saha filed the charge sheet in the case. On August 12, the same year, a Dhaka court indicted Babar in this case.

On May 28, 2007, Babar was arrested at his Gulshan home. On October 30, 2007, he was condemned to 17 years in jail in an arms case. In the 10-truck arms haul and August 21 grenade attack charges, he was also sentenced to death.