A Dhaka court on Tuesday acquitted BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's adviser, Zainul Abedin Farroque, in a case related to non-submission of a wealth statement.
Judge SM Ziaur Rahman of the Dhaka Divisional Special Judge's Court announced the verdict, citing a lack of evidence to prove the charges against Farroque. The BNP leader was present in court during the verdict.
Farroque said, “The freedom earned through the sacrifices of students and citizens has been upheld through this verdict. I dedicate this acquittal to those who restored democratic rights through student movements. I hope our judiciary remains independent.”
Constitutional Reform: BNP submits 62 proposals, seeks retention of VP, DPM
According to the case details, Farroque, while serving as a lawmaker for Noakhali-1 constituency, was issued a notice by the then Anti-Corruption Bureau, or ACB, the precursor to the ACC, to submit a wealth statement for himself and his family. The notice, served between July 9 and August 22, 1999, provided 45 days for compliance. However, he failed to submit the statement.
On January 19, 2000, Aminul Islam, an inspector of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, filed the case against Farroque. The charge sheet was submitted on June 17, 2001, by Imdadul Haque, another inspector of the bureau. Formal charges were framed against Farroque on March 23, 2006.