Channel-9 MD sent to jail

A Dhaka Court on Tuesday sent Channel 9 Managing Director and businessman Enayetur Rahman Bappy to jail, who was convicted in a case filed over tax evasion in 2007.

Judge of the Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 Shaikh Nazmul Alam passed the order after Enayetur surrendered to the court seeking bail.

Enayetur, also the former NTV managing director along with BNP lawmaker Md Harunur Rashid and Sky Autos owner Ishtiak Sadek were sentenced to two years, five years, and three years in prison respectively in the case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission on charges of evading taxes by abusing the MPs' duty-free car import facilities.

Enayetur, Harun and Ishtiak were also fined Tk1 lakh, Tk50 lakh, and Tk40 lakh respectively.

They have to serve six months, two months and six months or more in jail respectively, if they fail to pay the fines.

Earlier on October 28, the High Court granted an interim bail to Harun. The court also stayed the order that fined him Tk50 lakh.

According to the law, no vehicle brought under tax-free facility can be sold within three-years of import. But the BNP leader sold the vehicle to car trader Sadek, who later sold that to Enayetur.

On March 7, 2007, Police filed the case with Tejgaon Police Station. Later, a charge sheet was submitted against the three persons on July 18, 2007.

The court also framed charges against them the same year.