A Dhaka court on Sunday sentenced Shamima Noor Papia, an expelled leader of the Jubo Mohila League, to four years of rigorous imprisonment in a money laundering case. Judge Manjurul Hossain of Dhaka Special Judge Court-8 delivered the verdict.
Papia was also fined Tk 500,000, with an additional three months of simple imprisonment in default. The court acquitted her husband Mofizur Rahman alias Suman Chowdhury and co-accused Sabir Khandaker, Sheikh Tayeba Noor, and Jubair Alam, as the charges against them could not be proven. Jubair Alam remains a fugitive, while the other three appeared in court.
Due to illness, Papia was absent during the verdict. Her lawyers sought time on medical grounds, but the judge rejected the request. The court revoked her bail and issued an arrest warrant.
Previously, in October 2020, Papia and her husband were sentenced to 20 years in jail in an arms case. She was later released on bail granted by a higher court.
Papia, former general secretary of Narsingdi district Jubo Mohila League, was arrested on February 22, 2020, at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport along with her husband. She was subsequently expelled for life from the party for violating party discipline.
Authorities recovered seven passports, Tk 212,270 in cash, Tk 25,600 in counterfeit bank notes, USD 11,481, and foreign currencies from Sri Lanka and India, along with debit cards. Later, a raid on her Farmgate flat led to the seizure of a foreign pistol, magazines, bullets, five bottles of foreign liquor, Tk 58 lac 41 thousand, and various debit and credit bank cards.
According to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Papia used to rent rooms at The Westin Hotel in Gulshan for alleged immoral activities and paid hotel bills amounting to crore taka.
Multiple cases were filed against her under the Arms Act, Narcotics Control Act, and Special Powers Act. A separate money laundering case was filed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) later charged her with acquiring illegal wealth.
CID Inspector Ibrahim Hossain submitted the charge sheet on December 27, 2021. On August 21, 2022, formal charges were framed, and the trial began. A total of 27 witnesses testified. After the completion of arguments and defense statements, the court delivered the verdict.
