4 yrs of casino crackdown: Trials stalled, accused out on bail, gambling persists

Four  years after a major crackdown on illegal casinos in Dhaka, legal proceedings remain sluggish, with most cases stuck in pre-trial phases and many accused individuals out on bail. 

While some convictions have been secured, the overall impact appears limited, with reports of gambling continuing in the raided clubs under different guises.

After the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime, the police headquarters inquired with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) about these cases.

Investigators informed the police that both the government and senior authorities, including the CID, showed little interest in resolving the cases. "At times, we were told to slow down, and the accused were allowed to roam freely," said one investigator.

TBS also tried to contact the former CID chief, Additional Inspector General Mohammad Ali Miah, but he could not be reached by phone or through several WhatsApp messages.

In 2019, several ruling party leaders, including expelled Jubo League leader Ismail Hossain Chowdhury Samrat, were arrested for running illegal casinos in Dhaka clubs, resulting in frozen bank accounts.

However, over the past four years, only three cases have gone to trial. Most cases are still in the testimony phase, and investigations are incomplete for at least five cases.

Many of the arrested leaders have resumed political activities and had their bank accounts unfrozen. Club operations have resumed, with various forms of gambling reportedly ongoing despite the absence of formal casinos.

During the anti-casino drive, 52 cases were filed against 13 influential individuals, including Samrat. Trials for 47 of these cases are still pending.

Samrat remains out on bail as his trial has not commenced yet. Meanwhile, the court has unfrozen the bank accounts of Khaled Mahmud Bhuiyan and Kazi Anisur Rahman, both expelled from the Jubo League and also out on bail.

Additionally, AKM Mominul Haque, alias Casino Sayeed, surrendered in court to avoid imprisonment and secured bail.

Investigation of five cases still pending 

The ongoing investigations into five cases include two under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act involving Samrat and Khaled. Additionally, three cases were filed against expelled Awami League leaders Enamul Haque alias Anu, Rupon Bhuiyan, and another individual for acquiring wealth beyond their means.

Mehedi Maksud, inspector of the Financial Crime Unit of the Crime Investigation Department (CID), is investigating Samrat's money laundering case.

He told The Business Standard, "We sent a Mutual Legal Assistance Request (MLAR) to Singapore and Malaysia seeking Samrat's financial statements a long time ago. But we haven't received any reply yet.

"We have contacted the two countries three times regarding this matter. The report cannot be submitted without the MLAR response."

CID Superintendent of Police Humayun Kabir is investigating the money laundering case against Khaled. He said, "We have sent several letters to Malaysia and Thailand seeking Khaled's financial statements, but we have not yet received any reply. The chargesheet will be submitted once we receive the reply from there."

"We had initially sent the letter in English. But as there was no reply, we contacted the concerned country again. Recently, the Thai government asked us to send the letter in Thai. We sent the MLAR in Thai in February of this year," he added.

A senior CID official told TBS, "The Ministry of Home Affairs is in contact with foreign countries regarding MLAR. The investigation of many money laundering cases from the casino scandal has been completed. You should understand why information about this is not coming."

The CID official added that they have found information that Samrat laundered Tk195 crore to Singapore and Malaysia. He visited Singapore 35 times from 27 December 2011, to 9 August 2019.

Samrat's trial yet to begin

Samrat, former president of Dhaka South City Jubo League, was arrested on 6 October 2019, in connection with illegal casinos.

He faces charges related to undeclared wealth, money laundering, narcotics, and arms possession. While the money laundering case is ongoing, chargesheets have been filed for the other three cases, with framing pending. Samrat is currently out on bail for all charges.

Court sources say Samrat has frequently postponed hearings, including the latest delay on 2 July for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) case on acquiring wealth beyond known income sources, now rescheduled for 26 September upon his request.

On the day of his arrest, Samrat and his associate Enamul Haque Arman were detained in Chauddagram, Cumilla. Subsequently, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) raided Samrat's Kakrail office, recovering foreign liquor, pistols, and rare animal leather

A mobile court sentenced him to six months in prison for possessing wildlife leather. The next day, RAB-1's Deputy Assistant Director Abdul Khalek filed cases under the Narcotics Control Act and Arms Act at Ramna police station.

Additionally, on 12 October 2019, CID filed a money laundering case against Samrat at Ramna police station.

Trials for the drug and arms cases are ongoing, with RAB-1 Sub-Inspector (SI) Abdul Halim submitting the drug case chargesheet on 9 December 2019 and RAB-1 SI Shekhar Chandra Mallik submitting the arms case chargesheet on 6 November 2020.

Samrat's lawyer, Ehsanul Haque Samaji, attributed delays to his client's frequent international travel, noting the July 2 hearing was postponed due to the judge's vacation.

Testimony being taken in four cases against Khaled  

Khaled Mahmud Bhuiyan, former organising secretary of Dhaka South City Jubo League, was arrested from Gulshan in September 2019. Later, six cases, including two money laundering cases, were filed against him. His bank accounts were frozen at that time.

Chargesheets have been filed against him in five cases. The framing of charges in these cases is ongoing and testimonies are being taken. The investigation of one money laundering case is still ongoing.

According to court sources, considering Khaled's illness, the court has released his bank accounts and documents from his flat for his treatment.

Mominul's trial not over yet 

AKM Mominul Haque, a former ward councillor and joint secretary of Dhaka South City Jubo League, faces three cases filed by the ACC and CID.

He is accused of acquiring illegal wealth through activities like operating casinos, organised extortion, and other illicit activities in clubs. Two cases have been ongoing for over two years, and the CID has yet to submit the investigation report for the third case. Mominul is currently out on bail.

According to the chargesheet, Mominul allegedly earned Tk5 lakh daily from casinos at Mohammedan and Arambagh clubs. He also operated a gambling game called 'One Ten' at Arambagh Sporting Club, which reportedly generated Tk14.42 crore deposited into his business account, Baishakhi Enterprise.

Anisur's bank accounts unfrozen 

Former Jubo League office secretary Kazi Anisur Rahman was accused by the ACC of acquiring Tk14.95 crore in assets through unknown sources during the casino scandal.

His bank accounts were frozen initially. However, in November last year, the court ordered the unfreezing of his bank accounts.

Anisur is currently out on bail, and the hearings for the cases filed against him are ongoing.

GK Shamim and 19 others sentenced 

According to court sources, 20 people, including GK Shamim, a top contractor for government projects, Salim Pradhan, an online casino businessman, and Enamul Haque, a former vice president of Gendaria Thana Awami League, along with his brother Rupon Bhuiyan, joint general secretary of Gendaria Thana Awami League, have been convicted in money laundering cases.

Salim Pradhan is currently out on bail, while the remaining 19 individuals are in jail.

GK Shamim was sentenced to 10 years in jail, while his seven bodyguards received four years each for laundering Tk195 crore to Singapore and Malaysia. They were also convicted under the Arms Act. Additionally, four more cases involving Shamim are currently being tried in court.

The 12 cases involving Enamul and Rupon 

On 24 September 2019, RAB-3 raided the homes of Enamul and Rupon, seizing Tk88,35,800 and 2,908.95 grams of gold ornaments worth Tk1.2 crore from Enamul's residence, and Tk17,16,300 and gold ornaments worth Tk2.50 crore from Rupon's house. Following this, 12 cases were filed against them.

On 25 April 2022, Enamul, Rupon and 11 others were convicted by Dhaka's Special Judge Court No 5 in a money laundering case from Wari police station, receiving seven-year prison terms and a Tk4 crore fine.

Additionally, on 28 November 2023, they were sentenced to seven years in prison for another money laundering case filed with Gendaria police station and fined Tk52,00,88,788. Trials for the remaining 10 cases are ongoing.

The CID seized at least 22 buildings and 121 flats owned by the brothers. During a recent visit to some of these properties, TBS discovered that several had been rented out.

A security guard told TBS that they had obtained prior permission from both the CID and the court to rent out the flats. "I can't give you more details, nor can I let you enter the building," the guard said.

When TBS contacted CID's Media Officer and Special Superintendent of Police Azad Rahman, he was unaware of how the seized flats were being rented out and declined to comment further.

Other arrests and ongoing trials 

Former Dhaka South Ward no 39 councillor Moinul Haque Manju was arrested by RAB on 31 October 2019. RAB found illegal weapons and liquor during the arrest, leading to two cases that are now in the evidence stage.

Similarly, expelled Jubo League leader and former Dhaka North Ward no 33 councillor Tarequzzaman Rajib was arrested on 19 October 2019. He faces two cases for illegal weapons, bullets, and drugs.

On 11 January 2022, the ACC filed a chargesheet against him for illegally acquiring Tk26.16 crore. The CID also filed a money laundering case involving Tk20 crore against him, which is currently under trial in Dhaka's Special Judge Court No 7.

Other cases against him are also in the evidence stage. Rajib was granted bail on 16 November 2022.

Meanwhile, former president of Kalabagan Krirachakra Kazi Shafiqul Alam Feroz and acting director of Mohammedan Sporting Club Lokman Hossain Bhuiyan are also out on bail.

In contrast, Councilor Moinul Haque Manju and former vice president of Dhaka South City Jubo League Enamul Haque Arman remain in jail.

The then Public Prosecutor of Dhaka Metropolitan Court Abdullah Abu said, "In every court where cases related to the casino scandal are under trial, prosecutors are vigilant and committed to their responsibilities at all times."

Gambling dens in the clubs 

Four years after the casino scandal, clubs reopened in September 2023, but they are now quieter with less foot traffic.

During a recent visit to Dilkusha Club, a few individuals were seen monitoring arrivals at the gate. Upon entering, the TBS correspondent was approached and asked for identification. Identifying himself as a journalist, he was informed that no activities were occurring and renovations had not yet begun.

When pressed for further details, the person declined, citing restrictions on speaking with journalists and denying access inside. When asked about the whereabouts of patrons, he mentioned small rooms where they gather.

However, intelligence sources and videos indicate that illegal gambling dens are now operating within these clubs.