Graft case against Chhatra League’s Siam goes to trial

Investigators say Siam was in possession of Tk 3.18 million in assets beyond known sources of income

A Dhaka court has ordered the framing of charges against Syed Sohanur Rahman Siam, a leader of the banned Chhatra League, in a case over acquiring assets beyond known sources of income.

The court of Dhaka Divisional Special Judge Begum Shamima Afroz issued the order on Wednesday, rejecting the accused's plea for an acquittal on Wednesday. The first hearing for recording testimony has been set for Jul 9, said Ariful Islam, a bench assistant of the court.

Siam is the son of Syed Abed Ali Jibon, the driver who made headlines in the Public Service Commission (PSC) question leak case.

The indictment hearing in the case was scheduled for Wednesday. Siam was produced in the court from jail. Prosecutor Delwar Jahan Rumi, representing the Anti-Corruption Commission, moved for the framing of charges. Siam’s lawyer Rezaul Karim sought his acquittal.

After hearing from both sides, the court ordered the framing of charges against the accused.

The judge asked Siam whether he wished to plead guilty or not guilty. Siam claimed he was innocent and sought justice.

ACC Deputy Assistant Director Zakir Hossain filed a case against Siam on Jan 5 last year. The case alleges that he acquired illegal assets worth Tk 3.73 million from Sept 3, 2021 to Jun 30, 2024.

After investigating the case, Deputy Assistant Director Zakir Hossain filed a charge sheet accusing Siam on Dec 30 of the same year. However, during the investigation, the officer found information about movable and immovable assets worth Tk 3.18 million that were inconsistent with Siam's known source of income.