High Court acquits GK Shamim, overturning 10-year jail term in money laundering case

The High Court has acquitted controversial government contractor and alleged Jubo League leader SM Golam Kibria Shamim aka GK Shamim in a money laundering case, overturning his 10-year prison sentence.

The verdict was delivered by the bench of Justice ASM Abdul Mobin and Justice Md Jabid Hossain on Thursday.

On Jul 17, 2023, Dhaka Special Judge Mohammad Nazrul Islam had sentenced Shamim to 10 years in prison.

Seven of Shamim’s associates were sentenced to four years in prison each in connection with the case.

They are Shamim's bodyguards, Md Delwar Hossain, Md Morad Hossain, Md Zahidul Islam, Md Shahidul Islam, Md Kamal Hossain, Md Samsad Hossain, and Md Anisul Islam.

Additionally, the trial court had imposed a fine of Tk 38.3 million each on the convicts.

In his observations in the verdict, Judge Islam had said: "Arms dealers, tender dealers and money launderers have no ideology. They do not cherish any ideology. However, using ideology, they build mountains of illegal wealth overnight, hindering the country's development progress and destroying the country's economy. They are enemies of the country and the nation. They must be resisted collectively for the country's ongoing development and national interest."

Shamim, who passed himself off as a Jubo League leader, made a fortune as a government contractor.

The Rapid Action Battalion arrested Shamim and his bodyguards in a raid on his business in Dhaka’s Niketon on Sept 20, 2019.

The authorities seized about Tk 20 million in cash, Tk 1.75 billion worth of fixed-deposit receipts or FDR savings, alcohol and firearms during the raid.

Shamim was known as an influential contractor in the neighbourhoods of Sabujbagh, Basabo and Motijheel. He also made headlines for using his influence over the Public Works Department to secure contracts.