A Dhaka court has framed charges against former industries minister Tofail Ahmed and two others in a case over misappropriation of Tk1.25 crore.
With this order on Thursday, the trial has formally begun against the accused.
Dhaka Divisional Special Judge Begum Shamima Afroz rejected the defendants’ discharge petitions and set 22 June for recording testimony.
Md Khair Uddin Shikdar, lawyer of Awami League leader Tofail, confirmed the development.
The other accused are Mohammad Anwarul Islam, chief accountant of Madonna Advertising Ltd, and Mosharraf Hossain of Bhola.
According to the case statement, Anti‑Corruption Commission Inspector Kazi Shamsul Islam filed the case in 2002, alleging that former minister Tofail abused his position to conceal illegally obtained Tk1.25 crore by transferring and withdrawing funds through associates.
It further states that, in collusion with Anwarul Islam and Mosharraf Hossain, Tk1.25 crore was transferred at different times from Sonali Bank’s Motijheel corporate branch and later withdrawn. After investigation, charges were pressed against the three.
The case proceedings had long been stayed under High Court orders after the Awami League came to power. On 5 August 2024, the court revived the case as suo moto and sent it back to the lower court for trial.
