High Court upholds cancellation of GK Shamim’s contract

The High Court yesterday upheld a government decision that cancelled an agreement with the company of Golam Kibria Shamim known as GK Shamim, now in jail, for constructing a 20-storey building at Azimpur government colony in Dhaka.

The court rejected a writ petition filed by Shamim, an influential contractor of the Public Works Department and an expelled Jubo League leader, challenging the legality of the government decision.

The bench of Justice Tariq ul Hakim and Justice SM Kuddus Zaman passed the rejection order considering that the petition was not placed properly.

Barrister Moudud Ahmed and Barrister Abdullah Al Mahmud appeared for the writ petitioner while Additional Attorney General Murad Reza and Deputy Attorney General Amit Dasgupta represented the state during virtual hearing on the petition.

Lawyer Abdullah Al Mahmud told reporters that the government on February 16 this year cancelled the agreement with GKB & Company owned by GK Shamim as the works of the project were not finished in due time because the owner of the company has been in jail.

On September 20 last year, Rab arrested Shamim on charges of extortion and tender manipulation.

On that day, Rab raided his house and office in the city's Niketan area and seized eight firearms, a huge amount of ammunition, bank fixed deposits worth Tk 165 crore, around Tk 1.8 crore in cash, a large stash of US and Singaporean dollars and some foreign alcohol.

Later, Rab lodged three cases under the Narcotics Control Act and Arms Act against Shamim with Gulshan Police Station. Anti-Corruption Commission also filed a case against Shamim and his mother for amassing wealth worth Tk 297.08 crore beyond known sources of income.