Sunday, 9th August 2026
Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 17th June 2026, 10:06 AM
The formal trial of Syed Sohanur Rahman Siam, son of former Public Service Commission (PSC) driver Syed Abed Ali, has begun after a Dhaka court framed charges against him in a corruption case involving allegations of acquiring wealth beyond known sources of income.
On Wednesday, Judge Begum Shamima Afroze of the Divisional Special Judge’s Court in Dhaka ordered the commencement of trial proceedings and fixed 9 July for the recording of witness testimony. The court’s decision marks a significant step in a case that has attracted considerable public attention due to the family’s alleged involvement in corruption and financial irregularities.
According to officials of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Siam, who has remained in custody since his arrest earlier this year, was produced before the court during the hearing. ACC Court Inspector Md Saiful Islam said the defence did not seek discharge from the case during the charge-framing proceedings. Consequently, the court found sufficient grounds to proceed and formally framed charges against the accused.
The ACC alleges that Siam accumulated assets worth approximately Tk 33 million that are inconsistent with his declared and lawful sources of income. The case was filed under Section 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004, which deals with the possession of assets beyond known income sources.
Following an investigation, the anti-graft agency recently submitted a charge sheet to the court, paving the way for the commencement of judicial proceedings.
The allegations against Siam are part of a broader corruption investigation involving his parents. On 5 January last year, the ACC filed three separate cases against Syed Abed Ali, his wife Shahreen Akter Shilpi, and their son Siam.
Investigators claim that the family amassed substantial wealth and conducted large-scale financial transactions that could not be fully explained through legitimate income sources.
| Accused | Alleged Illicit Assets | Additional Financial Allegations |
|---|---|---|
| Syed Sohanur Rahman Siam | Approximately Tk 33 million | Assets allegedly inconsistent with lawful income |
| Syed Abed Ali | Tk 37.3 million | Suspicious transactions of around Tk 412.9 million through 12 bank accounts |
| Shahreen Akter Shilpi | Tk 12.66 million | Unusual transactions totalling Tk 35.64 million through two bank accounts |
The investigation gained national attention after corruption allegations surfaced against members of the family of Syed Abed Ali, who became widely known during controversy surrounding alleged public examination question-paper leaks. The case intensified public debate about unexplained wealth, abuse of influence, and accountability within public institutions.
As part of the ongoing inquiry, investigators examined bank records, asset statements and financial transactions linked to family members. The ACC contends that the evidence collected during the investigation demonstrates significant discrepancies between declared income and accumulated wealth.
Siam was arrested by the ACC on 20 January and has remained in prison since then. With charges now formally framed, the case has entered the evidentiary stage, during which prosecutors will seek to substantiate the allegations through witness testimony and documentary evidence.
The outcome of the trial is likely to be closely watched, as it forms part of a broader effort by Bangladesh’s anti-corruption authorities to pursue cases involving alleged illicit enrichment and suspicious financial activities. The court is expected to begin hearing witnesses when proceedings resume on 9 July.
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