Dhaka: The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has scheduled April 23 for delivering its judgment on an appeal by Professor Muhammad Yunus and six officials of Grameen Telecom. The appeal challenges a High Court order that dismissed a plea to annul the proceedings of a graft case. The decision was made by a bench led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, following the conclusion of the hearing.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, senior lawyer Abdullah-Al-Mamun represented the appellants, while Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman argued on behalf of the state. Advocate Asif Hasan appeared for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). On October 21, 2024, the Supreme Court had accepted a leave to appeal petition filed by Professor Yunus and six officials against the High Court’s decision.
The six other appellants include Grameen Telecom’s Managing Director Nazmul Islam, and Directors Ashraful Hasan, Naznin Sultana, Md Shahjahan, Nurjahan Begum, and Professor SM Huzzatul Islam Latifee. The High Court had previously dismissed their appeal on July 24, which sought to cancel the ACC’s graft case against them.
Barrister Abdullah-Al-Mamun, speaking on October 21, highlighted that the appeal was based on three grounds against the High Court order. He noted that the case was initially set for testimony on August 5, but the hearing was postponed to September 5. However, the ACC requested to withdraw the case without notifying them, which the court permitted. Abdullah-Al-Mamun argued that the withdrawal was improper and illegal, asserting their right to face trial legally.
The ACC initiated the case on May 30, 2023, alleging the misappropriation of Taka 25.22 crore and the transfer of funds elsewhere. ACC deputy director Gulshan Anwar subsequently filed the charge sheet against 14 accused individuals. The Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court acknowledged the charge sheet on April 2, 2024, and referred the case to Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 for further action. Charges against the 14 accused were formally framed on June 12.