DHAKA: The High Court Monday exonerated Islami Oikya Jote leader
Mufti Shahidul Islam from conviction in a case of corruption instituted amid a massive anti-graft drive during the emergency times.

An HC division bench comprising Justice Sayed Dastagir Hossain and Justice AKM Jahirul Haque scrapped the jail sentence handed down by a special court against the mufti on charge of corruption.

On March 19 in 2008, a special court sentenced the Oikya Jote leader to 10 years` imprisonment for amassing illegal wealth.

Anti-Corruption Commission assistant director Shahriar Chowdhury filed the case with Mohammadpur thana on August 5, 2007 when the hunt was on to herd up high-profile graft suspects under the emergency rule following the 1/11 changeover.  

Advocate Shah Manjurul Haque stood for Mufti Shahid while Abdul Aziz Khan for the ACC during the writ hearing.

BDST: 1513 HRS, AUG 16, 2010