The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has failed to bring former Jubo League Leader Ismail Hossain Chowdhury Samrat into custody for remand as he was ill.
The remand period, which was supposed to start from Sunday, has been postponed as Samrat is now undergoing treatment at a hospital, ACC Public Relations Officer Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya told Dhaka Tribune.
The spokesperson for the anti-graft body also said: “The accused will be brought under ACC custody after his release from the hospital.”
According to ACC and hospital sources, the accused suddenly fell sick Saturday afternoon.
Kashimpur Jail authorities admitted him to Shaheed Taj Uddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital in Gazipur, and later transferred him to the ICU of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) in the capital.
Earlier on November 17, Samrat was placed on a six day remand in a case filed by ACC Deputy Director Jahangir Alam for amassing wealth illegally.
According to the ACC report, the commission learned that Samrat has hoarded illegal wealth abroad worth Tk 1,000 crore.
On October 15, Samrat was also remanded for 10 days in two cases filed under the arms and narcotics acts.
On October 6, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested Samrat, former president of Dhaka South Jubo League, and his close aide Arman, former vice-president of the same unit.
According to the ACC report, Samrat came under the spotlight after RAB busted his illegal casino business at different clubs in Dhaka.
He was expelled from the Jubo League following his arrest.
Samrat was brought to the capital and RAB conducted drives at several establishments where Samrat had either lived or carried out political and business activities.
Previously, RAB took Samrat to his political office in Kakrail, where he had been reportedly staying since the crackdown began on September 18.
A RAB mobile court, led by Executive Magistrate Sarwer Alam, sentenced Samrat to six months’ imprisonment for possessing wild animal hides, and another six months for possessing illegal liquor.
RAB filed two cases against him with Ramna police station the day after the arrest.
On September 24, the government imposed a travel ban on Samrat.
According to the case statement, accused Samrat and Enamul were involved in the illegal casino business and had hoarded illegal wealth to the tune of Tk2.94 crore and Tk2.05 crore respectively, up until fiscal year 2018-19.