HC questions how GK Shamim’s bodyguards got arms licences

The High Court today wanted to know how the bodyguards of GK Shamim, a top government-listed contractor, got licenses for arms and how many arms they have.

The court asked their lawyer Advocate Shamim Sarder to place the information in detail before it tomorrow.

The bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice KM Hafizul Alam issued the order while hearing a rule issued by the court over granting bail to the bodyguards in a money laundering case.

On February 3, the bench issued the rule asking the government and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to explain why the four accused -- Zahidul Islam, Shahidul Islam, Kamal Hossain and Samsad Hossain -- should not be granted bail in the case.

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 raid 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.