GK Shamim gets 5 years for illegal wealth, mother acquitted

A Dhaka court has sentenced expelled Juba League leader SM Golam Kibria Shamim, also known as GK Shamim, to five years in jail and acquitted his mother, Ayesha Akter, in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over amassing illegal wealth worth over Tk 297 crore.

Judge Md Rabiul Alam of Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-4 passed the order on Thursday.

In addition to the jail sentence, the judge imposed a fine of Tk one lakh on GK Shamim, with an additional three months of imprisonment if the fine is not paid. The court also ordered the confiscation of GK Shamim's illegal wealth, totaling over Tk 297 crore, in favor of the state.

At the same time, GK Shamim was acquitted of charges of money laundering, as the allegations were not proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The judge also acquitted his mother, Ayesha Akter, of charges related to illegal asset accumulation and money laundering, as the evidence was insufficient to prove the allegations against her.

The ACC's Deputy Director Md Salahuddin filed the case on October 21, 2019, at the ACC's Integrated District Office-1, accusing them of amassing Tk 297.89 crore in illegal wealth. The charge sheet was submitted to the court on January 17, 2021, and the trial officially began on October 18, 2022, after the court framed charges against the accused. 

On September 20, 2019, RAB members arrested Shamim on charges of extortion and tender manipulation.