A Dhaka court has sentenced Destiny Group Managing Director Rafiqul Amin and 18 others to 12 years in prison for money laundering.
Judge Md Rabiul Alam of the Special Judge's Court-4 of Dhaka delivered the verdict today (Jan 15).
Amin, along with his wife Farah Diba and Destiny Group Chairman Mohammad Hossain, is currently in jail custody. Destiny-2000 President Lt Gen (retd) Harun-Ar-Rashid, however, is out on bail. Fifteen other accused individuals are absconding.
The case involves charges of misappropriating over Tk 4,200 crore from investors through the Destiny Tree Plantation (DTPL) project, part of Destiny Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd (DMCSL).
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) pressed charges against 51 people on May 4, 2014, accusing them of fraudulent activities. Charges were formally framed against the accused, including Rafiqul Amin, in August 2016.
The court recorded statements from 141 prosecution witnesses, including the complainant, before delivering the verdict.
The defendants were found guilty of embezzling funds from the DTPL project, which had promised substantial returns to investors but resulted in massive financial losses.
In a related case, on May 12, 2022, the same court sentenced 46 individuals, including Rafiqul and Harun, to various prison terms for their involvement in money laundering.
Rafiqul was sentenced to 12 years in jail, while Harun was jailed for four years.
This ruling adds to the ongoing legal troubles of Destiny Group's leadership, which has long faced allegations of fraudulent activities and mismanagement, further damaging its reputation and the trust of its investors.
In October 2012, Rafiqul Amin was arrested in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over money-laundering charges.
BDST: 1235 HRS, JAN 15, 2025
MN/SMS
