Former Information Minister and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) president Hasanul Haq Inu has accused the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of conducting a "media trial" by disseminating misleading information before his court trial. Inu made these remarks during a hearing at the Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge’s Court on Sunday (July 27, 2025), where he was shown arrested in a graft case filed by the ACC. The court, presided over by Judge Md. Zakir Hossain Galib, ordered his detention in prison following the hearing.The ACC filed two separate cases against Inu and his wife, Afroza Haq, on March 16, 2025, accusing them of amassing wealth beyond their known sources of income. According to the allegations, Inu acquired assets worth Tk 48.42 million (approximately Tk 4.84 crore) through abuse of power. Additionally, suspicious transactions amounting to Tk 118.81 million (approximately Tk 11.88 crore) were detected in four of his bank accounts, deemed punishable under the Money Laundering Prevention Act. In a separate case, Afroza Haq was accused of acquiring assets worth Tk 14.98 million (approximately Tk 1.49 crore) beyond her known income, allegedly using earnings amassed by her husband.
During the court proceedings, Inu’s defense lawyer, Mohammad Selim, raised concerns about the lack of security in the courtroom lockup, noting that Inu was kept with around 50 other accused individuals, posing a security risk. He also highlighted the absence of proper facilities, such as improved toilets, in the lockup. In response, Judge Galib remarked, “We are still in an analog system. During your time in power, no efforts were made to modernize the courts. You made the bureaucracy and government processes more complicated. If you had implemented a digital system, you wouldn’t have needed to come to court—we could have conducted trials from prison.”
Inu addressed the court, stating, “I have no issue with whatever punishment the court imposes, be it jail or execution. But the ACC has conducted a media trial with misleading information before the actual trial. I seek relief from this.” The judge responded, “If allegations are made, the media will naturally publish them.”
Inu was arrested by police in Uttara on August 26, 2024, and has since been shown arrested in multiple cases. He remains in custody as legal proceedings continue.
The case has sparked discussions about the ACC’s handling of high-profile corruption cases and the role of media in shaping public perception before trials.
