Dhaka: A Dhaka court granted bail to journalist Anis Alamgir in a graft and money laundering case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez issued the order, clearing the way for Alamgir’s release.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the ACC had filed the case on January 15, accusing Anis Alamgir of acquiring wealth beyond his known sources of income and engaging in money laundering. The case statement revealed that Anis owned immovable properties valued at Tk25 lakh and movable assets worth Tk3.84 crore, making his total assets exceed Tk4.09 crore. The ACC’s findings included family and other expenses estimated at Tk15.90 lakh.
The ACC identified Anis Alamgir’s lawful income as Tk 99.09 lakh, which encompassed Tk54.45 lakh in previous savings, Tk19.39 lakh from talk shows and consultancy, Tk22 lakh from plot sales, and Tk3.24 lakh from savings certificates and bank interest. With his total asset accumulation standing at over Tk4.25 crore, the legal proceedings against him have been closely watched.
Anis was detained by the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police on December 14 last year from Dhanmondi and was taken to the DB office for interrogation. He was placed on a five-day remand the following day and sent to jail on December 20, where he has remained in custody. He was also shown arrested in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act at Uttara West Police Station.
With the recent court order, there is no longer any legal obstacle preventing Anis Alamgir’s release from jail, as confirmed by his lawyer, Taslima Jahan.