Haji Salim is out on bail

Awami League MP Haji Salim, who was sentenced to 10 years in a corruption case, has been granted bail. He was undergoing treatment in the cabin of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital.

On Tuesday (January 17), Dhaka Central Jail Deputy District Collector Salim Kalbela confirmed the matter. Earlier at 1 pm, a Central Prison team led by Selim entered the BSMMU with Haji Selim's bail papers. Later he explained to BSMMU authorities. Kara police security was immediately removed. However, Haji Salim has not left the hospital yet. He is under treatment in cabin number 611 of BSMMU.

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Confirming the matter, Central Prison (Keraniganj) Deputy District Md. Salim said that Haji Salim, released on bail from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital, went to room 611 and was released following the rules. At that time, the prison guards guarding him have been removed. First of all, on December 6 of the outgoing year, the Apply Bench led by the Supreme Justice Hasan Faiz Siddiqui ordered the bail of Haji Selim. At the same time, the Appellate Division allowed him to appeal against the 10-year sentence.

It is to be noted that ACC filed a case against Haji Salim and his wife for illegal acquisition of wealth in Lalbagh Upazila on October 24, 2007 during the state of emergency during the army-controlled caretaker government. On April 27, 2008, the Judicial Court sentenced Haji Salim to 13 years of imprisonment under two sections of the ACC Act. Also, his wife Gulshan Ara helped him in acquiring this illegal wealth, the court sentenced him to three years imprisonment for such a crime. Besides, the court imposed a fine of Tk 20 lakh on them and assets worth around Tk 26 crore in favor of the state.

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Later on October 25, 2009, Haji Salim and his wife appealed to the High Court against this verdict. On January 2, 2011, the High Court annulled their sentence. ACC appealed against this judgment of the High Court. After the hearing of that application, on January 12, 2015, the Appellate Division set aside the judgment of the High Court and ordered the High Court to re-hear their application. Meanwhile, Haji Selim's wife Gulshan Ara died on November 30, 2020. Also, Haji Salim was on bail in this case. ACC appealed to the High Court for fast hearing of Haji Selim's application almost five years after the order of the Appellate Division. After re-hearing, he announced the verdict on March 9 last year. Although the 10-year sentence was upheld in the verdict, he was released from the three-year sentence. Also, he has to surrender within 30 days of receiving the verdict.

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On March 9, Haji Salim was sentenced to 13 years in the case of illegal acquisition of wealth and the full verdict was released. He has 30 days to submit a judicial surrender after receiving a copy of the 68-page judgment signed by the two judges. If he does not surrender within this period, the High Court ordered to cancel his bail and issue an arrest warrant. According to that verdict, this member of parliament of Awami League surrendered on May 22. When the bail application was made that day, the court rejected it and ordered to send it to the court.