Not having money is not a crime: ex-CJ Khairul Haque tells court

Former Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque told a Dhaka court on Wednesday (September 10) that “not having money is not a crime,” while defending himself in a corruption case over the alleged irregular allocation of a Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) plot.

Appearing before Acting Judge Ibrahim Mia of the Dhaka Senior Special Judge’s Court, Khairul Haque said he had informed RAJUK that he would pay for the 10-katha Purbachal plot after retirement and later cleared the entire amount.

“I did the same as everyone else applying for a plot. At that time, I had no money. I said I would pay after retirement—and I did,” he told the court.

The former Chief Justice, brought under police guard wearing a helmet and bulletproof jacket, also cited his past record of public service. He said he had worked on the post–Rana Plaza international commission without taking the $9,500 monthly honorarium, ensuring that Tk 1.5 crore went to victims instead.

“I have never been a beneficiary in any way,” he added.

Defense counsel Monayem Nabi Shahin sought bail for Khairul Haque, citing his age (81) and recent illness, but ACC prosecutor Hafizur Rahman opposed the plea.

After hearing both sides, the court rejected bail and ordered him to prison.

Justice Khairul Haque, who served as Chief Justice from October 2010 to May 2011, was arrested from his Dhanmondi home on July 24 in connection with a Jubo Dal activist’s murder case during the July uprising. He had also faced charges over the Purbachal plot allocation, filed by the ACC.