Destiny Chairman, MD get bail

The High Court on Tuesday granted interim bail to Destiny Group chairman and former army chief Harun-Ar-Rashid, now in a hospital cabin after being convicted 80 days ago for embezzling and laundering of depositors’ money.

A bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Khizir Hayat granted Harun’s bail for six months on the ground that he was a decorated freedom fighter and a senior citizen.

On May 12, the Dhaka Special Judge Court 4 jailed 47 people, including Destiny Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited managing director Rafiqul Amin and Harun-ur-Rashid for embezzling Tk 4200 crore through Destiny Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited.

Harun was jailed for four years and fined Tk 3.5 crore and Rafiqul Amin was jailed for 12 years and fined Tk 200 crore. The court awarded minimum imprisonment to the former chief of Army considering his noble contribution to our great liberation war.

Harun, a retired Lieutenant General, is the first of the 47 convicts, was granted bail pending hearing of their appeals against the sentences.

On July 31, 2012 the ACC filed two cases against the accused with the Kalabagan police station for embezzlement of Tk 4200 crore and money laundering.

Destiny MD Rafiqul and 46 others were accused in the case.

Of the accused — Rafiqul Amin, Jasmine Akhter, Ziaul Haque Mollah, Saiful Islam Rubel and Mohammad Hossain were produced before the court from jail while Destiny Group chair retired Lieutenant General Harun-ur-Rashid and director retired Lieutenant Colonel Md Didarul Alam were present at the court during the announcement of the judgment.

The other 40 accused are absconding.

After the announcement of the verdict, Harun, who was on bail, was sent to jail.

Didarul left the court as a free man.