Confusion over name: Court orders seizure of assets of another Sahabuddin

A court has ordered the seizure of the assets of a Dhaka resident named Md Sahabuddin in a case involving allegations of acquiring assets beyond known sources of income.

The order was issued on Thursday by the Metropolitan Senior Special Judge and Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court.

However, the case has caused confusion because of the similarity between the accused's name and that of former President Mohammed Shahabuddin, popularly known as Chuppu.

According to the court order and details of the case, the Md Sahabuddin named in this case is not former President Mohammed Shahabuddin.

The court issued the order following an application by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) seeking the seizure of the accused's immovable assets and the freezing of his movable assets.

According to the case documents, the accused, Md Sahabuddin, is a resident of Siddik Bazar in Dhaka. His father's name is Abdur Rob, while his permanent address is in Matarbari village under Sadar Upazila of Noakhali district.

The ACC said it had found information indicating that he had acquired and possessed Tk 187,473,07 in assets inconsistent with his known sources of income. A case was filed against him under Section 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004.

The ACC told the court that the accused might attempt to dispose of, transfer or otherwise conceal the illegally acquired immovable assets. Such a move could hamper the investigation and the prosecution of the case, making it necessary to secure the assets.

The ACC therefore sought an order to attach the immovable properties and freeze the movable assets in accordance with Rule 18 of the Anti-Corruption Commission Rules, 2007 and Section 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004.

The court subsequently issued the order on the basis of the ACC's application.

Importantly, there is no indication in the case details that the accused Md Sahabuddin is former President Mohammed Shahabuddin. The father's name, address and other identifying details provided in the case are different from those of the former President.