The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The High Court yesterday stayed for two months the proceedings of an ill-gotten wealth case against Awami League general secretary MA Jalil, currently in Singapore on parole for treatment.

Staying the case proceedings following a quashing petition, a High Court Division Bench comprising Justice Sharif Uddin Chaklader and Justice M Emdadul Haque Azad issued rule upon the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to explain why the case "should not be quashed".

On May 27, the ACC submitted charge sheet against former minister Jalil accusing him of amassing illegally wealth worth Tk 36 lakh and hiding information in his wealth statement submitted to the anti-graft watchdog under the ongoing purge.

ACC Deputy Assistant Director Enamul Haque Chowdhury, the investigation officer (IO) of the case, submitted the charge sheet to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court of Dhaka.

The case is now pending with a special court set up at high-security parliament complex that deals with high-profile corruption cases.

Jalil was arrested on May 28 last year and remained in custody for over eight months without any specific charges. Finally, on January 1 this year, he was shown arrested in this case filed on December 18 last year with Ramna Police Station.

Jalil had been ill since his detention. He was first taken to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital on June 4 last year after complaining chest pain.

Later, he was shifted to LabAid specialized Cardiac Hospital for treatment of kidney complications.

Considering his illness, the interim government set him free on parole on March 3 this year and Jalil flew off to Singapore the same night. Later, the government extended the tenure of parole.

Barrister Shafique Ahmed appeared for Jalil.