Samrat’s bail extended till January 15

A Dhaka court today extended bail of expelled Jubo League leader Ismail Hossain Chowdhury Samrat till January 15, 2024 in a Tk 222-crore money laundering case.

The judge also granted the petition submitted for adjournment of hearing on charge framing in the case.

Judge Monjurul Imam of Special Judge's Court-6 passed the order after Samrat's lawyer Afroza Shahanaj Parvin Hira submitted two separate applications -- one for extension of his bail and another for the adjournment of the charge framing hearing.

The judge did not pass any order on the application submitted for lifting the travel ban imposed upon Samrat earlier.

Samrat, a "kingpin" of illegal casino business in the capital, was present at the court during today's hearing.

On August 22 last year, the same court granted ad-interim bail to Samrat considering his health. In the order, the judge said Samrat would have to submit his passport to the court while furnishing his bail bond.

Samrat walked out of jail following the bail order. He had been taking treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) since then.

On November 26 of 2020, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) submitted the charge sheet to the Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Sessions Judge's Court, saying that the charges brought against him were primarily proved.

On November 12, 2019, the ACC filed the case against Samrat with its Integrated District Office-1 in Dhaka.

On October 6, 2019, Rab members arrested Samrat, and his close aide Enamul Haque Arman, former vice-president of the same unit, in Cumilla after raiding a house near Indian border.

He came under the spotlight after Rab busted his illegal casino business at different sporting clubs in Dhaka. He was expelled from the Jubo League following his arrest.