BNP Leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy Acquitted in 16-Year Graft Case

A Dhaka court has acquitted BNP National Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy in a corruption case filed 16 years ago over illegal asset acquisition.

The verdict was delivered on Sunday by Dhaka Special Judge Kamrul Hasan Khan, clearing Gayeshwar as the prosecution failed to prove the charges against him.Gayeshwar appeared in court Sunday morning to hear the verdict. His lawyer, Alhaz Borhan Uddin, confirmed the acquittal.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the defense concluded their arguments on August 19.

Initially, the verdict was scheduled for August 28 but was postponed several times.The case concerned discrepancies in Gayeshwar’s declared wealth, including two houses—one six-storey house in Dhaka’s Rayerbazar valued at Tk 4 million and another ancestral home in Keraniganj costing Tk 1.5 million.

The ACC claimed these property values were Tk 2.53 million below Public Works Department estimates, suggesting illicit wealth accumulation.

Electronic items worth Tk 58,600 were also reportedly found that were not accounted for in his declared income.The ACC alleged he illegally gained Tk 26.1 million from Abdul Monem Limited and Reza Construction through his political influence between 2004 and 2005. Altogether, the disputed assets and money totaled Tk 28.6 million.

After investigation by ACC official Mofidul, the charge sheet was filed in July 2009. Trial began in February 2010, with 29 of 47 witnesses testifying during the proceedings. Ultimately, the court found insufficient evidence to convict Gayeshwar.