BNP MP Harun gets bail

The High Court today granted six months’ bail to BNP lawmaker Harunur Rashid in a corruption case in which he was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment by a lower court, clearing the way for his walk out of jail.

The HC also stayed the part of the lower court that fined Tk 50 lakh to the lawmaker in Chapainawabganj-3 in the case and also called for its record from the lower court.

The bench of Justice Md Shawkat Hossain passed the order after admitting for hearing an appeal filed by Harunur Rashid challenging the trial court verdict that sentenced him to five years’ imprisonment in the case filed on charge of tax evasion while importing a luxury car.

Harun’s counsel Advocate Zainul Abedin told The Daily Star that there is no legal bar for his client to get released from jail following the HC order of bail.

Meanwhile, Anti-Corruption Commission’s (ACC) lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan told this correspondent that the commission will move an appeal before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the HC order.   

Earlier in the day, Harunur Rashid filed an appeal with the HC challenging the lower court verdict that sentenced him to five years’ imprisonment in the case.

In the appeal, MP Harun claimed that he is innocent and urged the HC to grant him bail and acquit him of the case.

A Dhaka court on October 21 sentenced Harunur Rashid to five years’ imprisonment and fined him Tk 50 lakh in the case filed on charge of tax evasion while importing a luxury car.

The tax was dodged by abusing the MPs’ duty-free car import facilities, according to the case statement.