BNP leader Dulu cleared in long-running tax evasion case

The case was filed by the NBR in 2008

A court has acquitted senior BNP leader Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu in a tax evasion case filed more than 15 years ago.

The verdict was delivered on Sunday by Judge Rabiul Alam of Dhaka's Fourth Special Judge’s Court.

Dulu, a former state minister for land and a former central organising secretary of the BNP, was present when the ruling was announced.

The case was filed in August 2008 by an assistant tax commissioner of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), accusing Dulu of evading income tax and providing false information about his earnings and expenditure.

His lawyer Borhan Uddin said the case had been politically motivated and intended to harass him.

“Four witnesses from the NBR testified in this case. After examining the evidence, the court acquitted him of all charges,” he said.

According to the prosecution, Dulu failed to pay Tk 1 million in income tax on earnings totalling more than Tk 23 million since 1983.

Dulu had earlier challenged the legality of the case in the higher courts, but the challenge was unsuccessful. Formal charges were later framed, and the trial began in April 2023.

After hearing witness testimony, the defence’s statement and final arguments, the court ruled in his favour.

Dulu is currently preparing to contest the 13th parliamentary election as a BNP candidate from the Natore-2 constituency, which includes Natore Sadar and Naldanga.