Former Jubo League Leader Samrat Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison

A Dhaka court has sentenced former Jubo League leader Ismail Chowdhury Samrat to a cumulative 20 years in prison for amassing illegal wealth. The verdict, delivered on Wednesday, 25 February, marks the latest development in a long-running corruption case.

The judgement was handed down by Judge Md. Zakaria Hossain of Dhaka Special Judge Court-6. Court officials, including Senior Bench Assistant Fakir Zahidul Islam, confirmed the details of the ruling.

The case, filed in 2019, centred on allegations that Samrat illegally acquired assets worth BDT 2.94 crore (29,480,087 Taka). The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had lodged the complaint on 12 November 2019, filed by ACC Deputy Director Jahangir Alam, who also led the investigation.

After hearing legal arguments, the court reached the verdict on 9 February. During proceedings, ACC counsel Nure Alam presented detailed arguments before the bench. Samrat, who remained absconding for an extended period, did not appear to submit any personal defence.

Samrat first drew public attention in September 2019 when a Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) raid at Motijheel, Dhaka, exposed the operation of an illegal casino at Clubpara. Following the exposure, Samrat went into hiding, evading authorities for over a year.

He was eventually apprehended on 7 October 2020 in Chaudgram, Comilla, alongside his associate Enamul Haque Arman. On the same day, RAB conducted a coordinated raid at Samrat’s office in Bhuia Trade Centre, Kakrail, Dhaka, seizing various documents and assets linked to the illegal operations.

The court’s ruling covers two separate charges under the anti-corruption laws, cumulatively resulting in a 20-year imprisonment. The judgment underscores the judiciary’s continued commitment to holding public figures accountable for financial misconduct.

For a clearer overview of the case, the key details are summarised below:

This landmark verdict adds to the ACC’s ongoing efforts to investigate and prosecute corruption within political and business circles in Bangladesh, reflecting heightened judicial scrutiny over high-profile figures.