The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Haris Chowdhury, political secretary to former prime minister Khaleda Zia, was yesterday sentenced in absentia to 59 years jail for cheating, corruption and abuse of power. Court sources said Haris would undergo jail for 10 years, as the punishment on five separate charges will run concurrently. Metropolitan sessions judge Azizul Haq in his verdict also fined him Tk 10.50 lakh.

Haris who went into hiding since the present government came to power on January 11 was earlier jailed for three years in a corruption case. He faces a number of other corruption cases. The prosecution said Haris acted as chairman of National Tea Company during the previous government was given a car for his official use. But he illegally sold the car. He also involved in cheating, corruption and abuse of power.