PK Halder’s associate jailed for 7 years

A Dhaka court on Monday sentenced Abhijit Adhikari Tirtha, a close associate of fugitive businessman Prashanta Kumar (PK) Halder and former Managing Director of Sukhada Properties Ltd, to seven years imprisonment in a corruption case.

Judge Md Hasanuzzaman of Dhaka Special Judge's Court-1 delivered the verdict, convicting him on charges of concealing wealth information and acquiring assets beyond known sources of income.

The court sentenced Abhijit to two years in prison for hiding information in his wealth statement and another five years for amassing illegal assets. He was also fined Tk 13.5 million. In default of payment, he will have to serve an additional 30 days in jail.

The court further ordered the confiscation of the illegally acquired assets in favour of the state. As the convict remains absconding, the court issued arrest warrants along with a conviction warrant against him.

According to court officials, the sentences will run concurrently, meaning Abhijit will serve a maximum of five years in prison under the prevailing legal provisions.

The case was filed on March 6, 2023, by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Assistant Director Manasi Biswas. The complaint alleged that Abhijit possessed assets worth Tk 12.25 million inconsistent with his known sources of income and failed to submit a mandatory wealth statement within the stipulated time.

Following an investigation, ACC Deputy Director Nazmul Hossain submitted the charge sheet on May 5, 2024, accusing him of acquiring illegal assets worth Tk 13.5 million.

The trial formally began on March 13, 2025, after charges were framed against the accused. During the proceedings, the court recorded testimonies from five witnesses before delivering its verdict.

TZ