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The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has failed to submit its investigation report in a case against former ICT state minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak over allegations of acquiring assets beyond known sources of income and money laundering.
A Dhaka court on Monday set November 23 as the new deadline for submitting the report.
Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Shahjahan Kabir had fixed Monday for submission of the investigation report. As it was not submitted, the court granted a fresh date.
Palak was produced at the court premises but was not taken into the judge’s courtroom. He was kept at the lock-up of the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s Court.
After the proceedings, while being taken from the lock-up to a prison van, Palak raised his handcuffed hands and said, “Bloodied hands in rusty handcuffs.”
His lawyer, Tarikul Islam, said Palak made the remark to highlight his prolonged detention and repeated arrests in different cases. The lawyer alleged that Palak was being subjected to torture and harassment and had been denied bail, which he said reflected his client’s sense of being deprived of justice.
The ACC filed the case against Palak on December 12, 2024, at its Dhaka District Integrated Office-1.
According to the case statement, Palak allegedly acquired and possessed movable and immovable assets worth Tk 87.34 million inconsistent with his known sources of income.
The case also alleges unusual transactions through 25 bank accounts in his name, involving deposits of Tk 320.50 million and withdrawals of Tk 298.48 million. The transactions were allegedly used to launder money obtained through bribery and corruption, according to the complaint.
Palak was arrested after the Awami League government was ousted on August 5, 2024. He was subsequently shown arrested in several murder and attempted-murder cases and questioned in remand.
