A Chattogram court has sentenced former police sergeant Belayet Hossain to three years in prison for acquiring assets beyond his known sources of income and concealing information about his assets. The court also fined him a total of Tk 89,77,742.
Chattogram Divisional Special Judge Md Mizanur Rahman delivered the verdict on Thursday (October 8).
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) launched an inquiry after allegations that Belayet had abused his position and engaged in various corrupt activities to acquire assets beyond his known income.
The investigation found that Belayet held movable and immovable assets worth Tk 1,51,61,463 in his name. Against this, his legitimate and acceptable income was assessed at Tk 1,37,68,847. His declared expenditure and expenses in tax records amounted to Tk 84,08,691.
Combining his assets and expenditure, his total financial holdings came to Tk 2,35,70,154. Compared with his legitimate income, Tk 98,01,307 was identified as assets beyond his known sources of income.
The investigation also found discrepancies in the asset statement Belayet submitted to the ACC. He had declared assets worth Tk 85,78,284 in his name, while verification found assets worth Tk 1,51,61,463. The case alleged that he concealed information about assets worth Tk 65,83,179.
In connection with the allegations, ACC Chattogram-2 Integrated District Office Assistant Director Md Manzur Alam filed a case against Belayet on July 20, 2009, under Sections 26(2) and 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004, and Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947. The ACC produced 10 witnesses before the court.
ACC Public Prosecutor Md Rezaul Karim Rony said the court fined the accused Tk 50,000 under Section 26(2) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, with an additional six months’ imprisonment in default of payment.
Under Section 27(1) of the same law, Belayet was sentenced to three years in prison and fined Tk 89,27,742.
Belayet was absent from the court when the verdict was announced. The court issued an arrest warrant against him.
