The High Court today refused to grant bail to four bodyguards of GK Shamim, a top government-listed contractor, in a money laundering case.

The court, however, issued a rule asking the government and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to explain in 10 days why the four accused -- Zahidul Islam, Shahidul Islam, Kamal Hossain and Samsad Hossain -- should not be granted bail in the case.

The bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice KM Hafizul Alam came up with the rule following a bail petition filed by the four.

Rab arrested GK Shamim, who is known to be a Jubo League leader, on September 20 last year on charges of extortion and tender manipulation. His seven bodyguards, including the four accused, were also arrested at the time.

During the September 20 raid by the elite force on Shamim’s house and office in the city’s Niketon, eight firearms, a huge amount of ammunition, Fixed Deposit Receipts (FDRs) worth Tk 165 crore and around Tk 1.8 crore in cash, a large stash of US and Singaporean dollars and some foreign liquor were seized.

On September 21, Rab filed a case with Gulshan Police Station against GK Shamim. Later on, his bodyguards were shown arrested in the case.

Advocate Shamim Sarder appeared for the petitioners, while Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan argued for the ACC. Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin Manik represented the state.