GK Shamim secures bail in 2 cases; attorney general wasn't aware

GK Shamim has secured bail from the High Court in two separate cases in the first week of February, it has emerged.

Two separate High Court benches granted bail to Shamim for six months in narcotics case and for one year in arms case, his lawyer Advocate Shawkat Osman confirmed to The Daily Star this evening.

He said the HC granted the bail following separate bail petitions filed by GK Shamim.

The HC granted the bail as Shamim has been in jail for over five months, although the maximum punishment in the cases is six months' jail, the lawyer said.

He said bail bond for Shamim has been furnished before the lower court concerned last week.

Advocate Osman said Shamim cannot be released from jail following the HC order, because he is arrested in two other criminal cases.

Osman said that Shamim did not disclose the information to the media earlier, as he is arrested in two other cases.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam told The Daily Star that the deputy attorney general concerned did not inform him about the HC order that granted bail to Shamim.

"We must move appeal before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, challenging the HC order that granted bail to Shamim," he said.

Replying to a question, he said he will talk to the government authority to take decision about actions against the deputy attorney general concern for not informing him about the HC order in this connection.

Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) on September 20 last year arrested Shamim, known to be an influential contractor of the Public Works Department and a Jubo League leader, on charges of extortion and tender manipulation. His bodyguards were also arrested.

On that day, Rab members raided his house and office in the city's Niketan and seized eight firearms, a huge amount of ammunition, fixed deposit receipts (FDR) worth Tk 165 crore, around Tk 1.8 crore in cash, a large stash of US and Singaporean dollars and some foreign alcohol.

Later, Rab lodged three cases including under the Narcotics Control Act and Arms Act against Shamim with Gulshan Police Station. Anti-Corruption Commission also filed a case against Shamim and his mother for amassing Tk 297.08 crore wealth beyond the known source of income.