A Dhaka court on Wednesday sentenced Jubo League leader Ismail Hossain Chowdhury Samrat to 20 years’ imprisonment under two separate counts in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission.
Dhaka Special Judge Court-6 Judge Md Zakaria Hossain delivered the verdict, confirmed by the court’s senior bench assistant Fakir Zahidul Islam.
He said Samrat was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment and fined Tk10 lakh for amassing illegal wealth, with an additional six months’ imprisonment in default of payment.
He was also sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment and fined Tk10 lakh for money laundering, with a further six months’ imprisonment in default.
The court ordered that all illegally acquired assets be confiscated in favour of the state.
The sentences will run consecutively, meaning Samrat will have to serve a total of 20 years in prison, the court order said.
As he remains absconding, the court issued an arrest warrant against him.
According to case documents, the Anti-Corruption Commission filed the case on 12 November 2019 over allegations that Samrat amassed illegal assets worth Tk2,94,80,087 and laundered money.
The case was lodged by Anti-Corruption Commission Deputy Director Md Jahangir Alam, who later conducted the investigation.
A charge sheet was submitted to the court on 26 November 2020.
Earlier, on 18 September 2019, a Rapid Action Battalion raid in the Motijheel club area exposed illegal casino operations, after which Samrat went into hiding.
He was arrested on 7 October from Chauddagram in Cumilla along with his associate Enamul Haque Arman.
Later that day, Rapid Action Battalion members conducted a raid at his office at Bhuiyan Trade Centre in Kakrail.
After nearly five hours of operation, law enforcers said they recovered a foreign-made pistol with bullets, 1,160 yaba tablets, 19 bottles of foreign liquor, two kangaroo hides and electric devices allegedly used for torture.
A mobile court sentenced him to six months’ imprisonment under the Wildlife Conservation Act over the possession of kangaroo hides.
At that time, two more cases were filed against him at Ramna Police Station under the Narcotics Control Act and the Arms Act.
Between 10 April and 11 May 2022, he secured bail in four cases and was released after serving 31 months in jail.
Following the political changeover on 5 August 2024 after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government, the court on 17 July last year framed charges in the illegal wealth case, cancelled his bail and issued an arrest warrant.
He has since been shown as absconding.
The recording of testimony concluded on 2 February, with all 21 prosecution witnesses testifying before the court.
As Samrat remained absconding, he was unable to present his defence or arguments.
Earlier, on 9 February, the court had fixed the date for pronouncement of the verdict.
