Asif Akbar Cleared in Foreign Liquor Case

After an arduous legal battle spanning eight years, celebrated Bangladeshi singer Asif Akbar has finally been acquitted in the high-profile foreign liquor case. Upon the announcement of the verdict, he expressed relief and satisfaction, stating that the allegations had been “entirely fabricated” and that justice had ultimately prevailed.

On Monday, the Second Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge of Dhaka, Ayesha Akter Moushumi, formally acquitted Asif Akbar in the case concerning the possession of foreign liquor. The singer was present in court at the time of the ruling. The defence lawyer, Pradeep Kumar Debnath, confirmed the verdict to the media.

Speaking after receiving the verdict, Asif said, “Alhamdulillah, this was an accusation founded on falsehood. Interestingly, the legal proceedings started during Ramadan, and the verdict has also been delivered during Ramadan. I am satisfied and overjoyed. For eight years, I have appeared regularly in court. I never attempted to influence the process or politicise the matter. My only aim was to seek justice.”

He added, “Being the son of a lawyer, I have been taught to respect the judicial system from birth. That is why I refrained from making public statements during these long years. My family, my fans, and all those who love me have endured a lot of anxiety throughout this period. Today, the court has granted me freedom, and this brings immense joy to me and my family.”

The case traces back to 6 June 2018, when law enforcement authorities claimed to have seized four bottles of foreign liquor from Asif Akbar’s Dhaka office. Subsequently, on 23 July 2019, Sub-Inspector Prashanta Kumar Sikder of the CID Cyber Investigation Division filed a case at Tejgaon Police Station against the singer for alleged illegal possession of liquor without a licence.

Following investigation, the charge sheet was submitted to the court on 13 October 2019. The court formally framed the charges on 25 November 2024 and began trial proceedings. After testimonies from three witnesses, the court delivered its final verdict on Monday, acquitting Asif Akbar.

A concise timeline of the case is presented below:

This acquittal marks the end of a prolonged legal struggle for Asif Akbar, bringing relief to his family, fans, and supporters. It highlights the resilience of individuals who persevere through complex legal battles in pursuit of justice.

Asif has expressed hope of resuming his musical career with renewed focus, celebrating this hard-earned victory while maintaining respect for the judicial process that ultimately cleared his name.