Former Teknaf Upazila Chairman Jafar Ahmed has been sentenced to seven years in prison for concealing assets and acquiring wealth beyond his known income. The court also fined him Tk 8,59,73,348.
Judge Md. Mizanur Rahman of the Chattogram Divisional Special Judge's Court announced the verdict on Wednesday. Jafar Ahmed was present when the ruling was delivered and was sent to jail immediately under the court's sentence warrant.
According to court and Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) sources, Jafar Ahmed concealed assets worth around Tk 3,78,78,817 in his declaration to the ACC. The court also found him guilty of acquiring assets worth Tk 4,80,94,531, disproportionate to his legitimate income by abusing his position.
In its verdict, the court said the allegations were proven beyond doubt based on evidence and documents presented by the state. The case was tried 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 court had framed formal charges against Jafar Ahmed on May 5 this year before delivering the verdict following testimony and arguments.
ACC Public Prosecutor Mukarram Hossain said the charges of concealing assets and acquiring wealth beyond known income were proven in court, resulting in the seven-year sentence and fine. He said the ACC remains committed to taking legal action against illegally acquired assets and expressed hope that such verdicts would strengthen anti-corruption efforts nationwide.
