Journo Anis Alamgir denied bail in graft case

A Dhaka court on Sunday rejected the bail petition of journalist Anis Alamgir in a case filed by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over alleged illegal wealth accumulation.

Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md. Sabbir Foyez passed the order after hearing the defence petition.

Defence lawyer Tasleema Jahan Popy said they had sought bail for Alamgir, but the court rejected the plea. 

She added that the defence team would consider their next steps, including whether to file a fresh bail petition in the same court or move to the High Court.

The case, filed by ACC on January 15, alleges that Alamgir accumulated wealth beyond his known sources of income and engaged in money laundering. 

On January 25, the investigating officer and ACC Assistant Director Akhtaruzzaman applied to have Alamgir arrested and the court granted the request on January 28.

According to the case statement, investigators identified assets worth about Tk 4.09 crore in Alamgir’s name, including Tk 25 lakh in immovable property and Tk 3.84 crore in movable assets. His family and other expenditures were estimated at Tk 15.9 lakh, bringing his total asset accumulation to Tk 4.25 crore.

The ACC, however, noted that Alamgir’s legitimate income totaled Tk 99 lakh, including Tk 54.4 lakh in past savings, Tk 19.4 lakh from talk shows and consultancy work, Tk 22 lakh from plot sales, and Tk 3.24 lakh from savings certificates and bank interest.

Based on the findings, investigators alleged that Alamgir possessed Tk 3.264 crore in wealth beyond his known sources of income, accounting for approximately 77 percent of his total assets.

MAL/SH