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Published : 08 Mar 2020, 02:07 PM
Citing a possible mix-up over his name, Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice SM Mozibur Rahman on Sunday recalled its own bail order for Shamim issued a month ago in the arms case following two days of intense debate over the matter in the public sphere.
Lawyer Momtaz Uddin Mehedi appeared on behalf of Shamim in court while Deputy Attorney General Md Fazlur Rahman Khan represented the state.
"The bail applicant's name in the case is SM Golam Kibria. But the name written on the court's cause list that day (Feb 6) was only SM Golam," DAG Fazlur told the court at the start of Sunday's hearing.
The senior justice of the bench then acknowledged that there was a problem with the name on the list which may have caused confusion before recalling the bail order.
On Saturday, DAG Fazlur told bdnews24.com that the state wasn't aware of Shamim's bail in the case.
But speaking after the hearing on Sunday, he said: "There was confusion over his name so we weren't clear about the matter then."
Later, the bench of Justice Md Rezaul Haque and Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty recalled Shamim's bail in the drugs case issued on Feb 4, citing similar reasons.
After the withdrawal of the bail order, DAG Jannatul Ferdous said, "The court recalled the order after the confusion over his name was brought to its attention."
RAB arrested Shamim along with his seven bodyguards with a huge cache of money in his office on Sept 20. He was subsequently placed in the custody of Gulshan police and three cases were initiated against him.
Shamim made a fortune as a contractor and identified himself as a Jubo League leader.
RAB seized about Tk 20 million in cash, Tk 1.75 billion worth of fixed-deposit receipt or FDR savings, alcohol and firearms during the raid on his business in Dhaka's Niketon.
It came two days after a RAB unit arrested Jubo League leader Khaled Mahmud Bhuiyan, who was expelled, for running an illegal casino inside the Young Men’s Club in Fakirapool.
Shamim is known as an influential contractor in the neighbourhoods of Sabujbagh, Basabo and Motijheel. He made headlines for his influence over the Public Works Department to secure contracts.
GOVT TO PROBE GK SHAMIM BAIL
Facing questions from reporters after an event in Dhaka, Law Minister Anisul Huq said it was “unfortunate” that GK Shamim got bail.
He said he asked Attorney General Mahbubey Alam “immediately after” seeing the news on TV on Saturday.
“I immediately asked the attorney general why the state was not informed about the matter and if there was any negligence to those who were in charge.
“If something otherwise happens, it’s unfortunate. It will be investigated what the deputy attorney general said,” Anisul said.
He also said the state decided to appeal against the decisions at the Appellate Division but the High Court benches had already recalled the orders.
