SC Acquits Tarique, Mamun in Money Laundering Case

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) today acquitted BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and businessman Md Gias Uddin Al Mamun in a money laundering case, overturning their seven-year imprisonment sentence issued by the High Court.

A four-member bench, led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, delivered the short verdict, stating, "The appeal is allowed." The ruling came in response to Mamun's appeal, which lawyers confirmed also applies to Tarique Rahman, who had not filed a separate appeal.

Senior advocates SM Shahjahan, Barrister Sheikh Mohammad Zakir Hossain, Advocate Jakir Hossain, and Advocate Maksud Ullah represented the appellants, while senior advocate Asif Hossain stood for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

The ACC filed the case on October 26, 2009, at Cantonment Police Station, submitting a charge sheet against Tarique and Mamun on July 6, 2010. On November 17, 2013, Dhaka’s 3rd Special Judge Court acquitted Tarique but sentenced Mamun to seven years in prison, imposing a Taka 40 crore fine and ordering the confiscation of Taka 20.41 crore in state favor.

The ACC appealed against the verdict, leading the High Court to sentence Tarique to seven years in jail with a Taka 20 crore fine while upholding Mamun’s punishment. Mamun later challenged the verdict, and today, the apex court ruled in his favor, acquitting both him and Tarique.