Ex-AL whip Suja's sentence scrapped

Dhaka, Jan 11 (bdnews24.com)—The High Court in a verdict has scrapped jail sentences of former Awami League whip S M Mostafa Rashidi Suja and his wife Khodeja Rashidi in a corruption case filed by the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC).

The High Court bench of justices M A Hai and Mohammad Abdur Razzak passed the order on Tuesday in response to separate petitions filed by the couple.

Advocate A Baset Majumder argued for the petitioners while M A Aziz Khan stood for the ACC during the hearing.

The Special Judge's Court of Dhaka on Mar 12, 2008 sentenced Suja to 13 years in jail on twin charges of amassing wealth illegally and providing false information. The court also fined him Tk 1 million.

The court also sentenced Suja's wife Khodeja Rashidi to three years in jail for assisting him in accumulating the wealth. Khodeja was also fined Tk 100,000.

Of the total 13 years, Suja got 10 years for obtaining illegal wealth and three years for providing false information to the Anti Corruption Commission.

The court also ordered confiscation of Suja's wealth worth Tk 37.2 million.

ACC filed the case on July 10, 2010 with Ramna Police Station against the AL leader, his wife and their two daughters Sanjida Rashidi Shimmi and Taniza Rashidi Turki.

According to case details, Suja amassed Tk 44.3 million illegally and concealed wealth to the tune of Tk 7.885 million in his wealth statement to the ACC.

Suja's wife and daughters assisted him in accumulating the wealth, the case alleged. The names of Suja's daughters were taken off the charge sheet. Over 40 witnesses testified on behalf of the state.

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