HC upholds convicting Haji Selim in graft case

The High Court on Wednesday released the full text of its judgment that upheld a lower court verdict, sentencing lawmaker Haji Mohammad Selim to 10-year imprisonment in a case lodged over amassing illegal wealth.

A High Court division bench comprising Justice Md Moinul Islam Chowdhury and Justice AKM Zahirul Huq passed the judgement on March 9, 2021, upholding the jail term and fine of Taka 10 lakh for the lawmaker.

The High Court however, acquitted the lawmaker of the charge of concealing information in his wealth statement, for which Selim was sentenced to three-year imprisonment.

The court in its judgement had asked the accused to surrender before the lower court concerned within 30 days of receiving the copy of the judgement.

The trial court on April 27, 2008, convicted Haji Salim and sentenced him to total 13 years’ imprisonment under two sections in the case, which was filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on October 24, 2007.

The accused appealed against the judgement with the High Court on October 25, 2009. The High Court on January 2, 2011, acquitted him of the corruption case, making the anti-graft body to appeal against the High Court verdict.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on January 12, 2015, scrapped the High Court verdict and ordered to hold the hearing afresh.