A Dhaka court has deferred until 23 November the hearing on charge framing against former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, his wife, and their two children in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over allegations of acquiring illegal wealth and money laundering.
Judge Abdullah Al Mamun of Special Judge Court-5, Dhaka, set the new date on Sunday.
ACC counsel Tariqul Islam said the defence lawyer was unable to attend court due to dengue fever and kidney disease. Consequently, the defence submitted a time petition, which was granted by the court.
The other accused in the case are Kamal’s wife Lutful Tahmina Khan, son Shafi Muddassir Khan Jyoti, and daughter Safia Tasnim Khan.
Jyoti, who is currently detained in prison, was produced before the court as the hearing on charge framing was scheduled.
The ACC lawyer further mentioned that the case was previously pending before Special Judge Court-10, Dhaka, and was later transferred to Special Judge Court-5 by the Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court.
On 9 October 2024, the ACC filed the case against Asaduzzaman over allegations of acquiring illegal wealth.
Following an investigation, the agency submitted a charge sheet in court against four individuals, including Asaduzzaman, on 18 December last year.
According to the case documents, he acquired wealth worth Tk22,58,40,162 beyond known sources of income through dishonest criminal misconduct and abuse of power while discharging duties as a public servant.
Additionally, allegations were brought regarding transactions amounting to Tk87,46,26,933 across nine bank accounts aimed at concealing or hiding the illegal sources of proceeds derived from corruption and bribery through conversion, transfer, or hand over.
The accused have been charged under Section 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004; Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947; and Sections 4(2) and 4(3) of the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012.
