Court orders arrest of journalist Anis Alamgir in graft case

He faces charges of acquiring assets beyond known sources of income

A court has ordered that journalist Anis Alamgir be placed under arrest in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over allegations of acquiring assets beyond known sources of income.

The order was issued on Wednesday by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Fayez following an application by the ACC.

Anis’s lawyer Naznin Nahar confirmed the development, saying the court had heard the matter in the presence of the accused.

The ACC filed the case against Anis on Jan 15, accusing him of amassing wealth beyond his declared income. On Jan 25, the investigation officer applied to the court to have him formally arrested in the case.

Anis has been in custody since mid-December in connection with a separate case.

On the night of Dec 14, detectives took him to the Detective Branch office for questioning. Later that night, a case was filed against him and three others, accusing them of conspiring to destabilise the state and inciting a banned organisation.

The other accused in that case include actress Meher Afroz Shaon, fashion model Maria Kispotta and television presenter Imtu Ratish.

Anis was placed on a five-day remand in the case and was sent to jail on Dec 20 after the remand period ended. He has remained in custody since then.