Former Minister Of Textiles And Jute In Bangladesh Sentenced To 13 Years' Imprisonment

The special court of Bangladesh for 22 days sentenced the former textile and jute Department of Changsha Jahan Siraj to 13 years' imprisonment for the crime of illegally collecting wealth and hiding property information.

The court also sentenced him to 3 years' imprisonment in connivance of corruption.

In addition, the special court also announced the confiscation of the 37 million 800 thousand Taka (about 540 thousand US dollars) of the personal property of the West Raj, and fined 1 million Taka (about $142 thousand) and 500 thousand Taka (about 71 thousand US dollars) to each of the Western Raj and his wife.

Since the current caretaker government came into power in January 2007, the West Raj family has been on the run.

In the announcement, the special court said that in view of the extradition of the West Raj, their sentences would be calculated from the arrest.

From 2001 to 2006, he served as Minister of textiles and jute in the four party coalition government led by former Prime Minister Khalida Zia.

In August 29th last year, the special court sentenced the Western Raj and son Ragheb Siraj to 8 years' imprisonment for tax evasion.

In September 5th last year, he was sentenced to 32 years' imprisonment in four tax evasion cases alleged by the State Administration of taxation.

The current caretaker government, headed by Ahmad, has been fighting corruption. Since then, more than 200 former senior government officials and former members have been arrested on suspicion of corruption, including two former prime ministers Khalida Zia and Sheikh Hasina.

So far, many people have been convicted of corruption.