Verdict on ACC’s case against ex-BB deputy governor SK Sur due on Jul 28

An order to frame charges and commence the trial was issued on Nov 6 of last year

A Dhaka court has set Jul 28 to deliver its verdict in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) against former Bangladesh Bank deputy governor Sitangshu Kumar Sur, also known as SK Sur Chowdhury, over allegations of failing to submit a wealth statement.

Judge Ayesha Nasrin of Dhaka Special Judges’ Court-2 fixed the date on Wednesday after hearing closing arguments from both the prosecution and the defence, according to court bench assistant, Md Dewan Ashik.

Sur was brought to the court from jail for the hearing.

ACC prosecutor Abul Kalam Azad argued that the charge had been proven and sought the maximum punishment of three years' imprisonment.

Defence lawyer Saroj Kumar Hawlader, however, pleaded for Sur's acquittal.

According to the case documents, the ACC had issued a notice directing Sur to submit a statement detailing all movable and immovable assets, liabilities, sources of income and related information concerning himself and his dependants, whether held in their own names or under others’ ownership, as part of an investigation into allegations of possessing assets beyond known sources of income.

The documents state that Sur received the order and the prescribed wealth statement form on Oct 27 last year and acknowledged receipt with his signature.

He, however, failed to submit the statement within the stipulated 21 working days.

On Dec 23 last year, the ACC filed the case against Sur, his wife Suparna Sur Chowdhury and daughter Nandita Sur Chowdhury for failing to submit the wealth statement within the specified timeframe.

The case was lodged by ACC Deputy Director Nazmul Hossain.

The anti-graft agency submitted the chargesheet against Sur on Aug 25 last year.

On Nov 6 last year, the court framed charges against him and ordered the trial to begin.

During the trial, the court recorded testimony from seven prosecution witnesses.

The ACC arrested the former central bank deputy governor in Dhaka’s Segunbagicha on Jan 14, 2025. He has remained in custody since then.