PSC ex-driver Abed Ali’s son gets 4 years in prison for illegal wealth

Syed Sohanur Rahman Siam, son of former Public Service Commission (PSC) driver Syed Abed Ali Jibon, has been sentenced to four years in prison for acquiring wealth beyond his known sources of income.

The Dhaka Divisional Special Judge’s Court, presided over by Judge BM Tariqul Kabir, delivered the verdict on Thursday.

Siam was also fined 20,000 taka. He will face an additional six months in prison if he fails to pay the fine.

The court ordered the confiscation of 31.81 lakh taka worth of his illegally acquired assets in favour of the state.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) prosecutor Delwar Jahan Rumi confirmed the details of the verdict. Court bench assistant Ariful Islam also confirmed the ruling.

Siam was the relief and disaster management secretary of the Dhaka North unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League, a banned student organisation. He was relieved of his party position in July 2024 over allegations of involvement in leaking PSC question papers.

ACC Deputy Assistant Director Zakir Hossain filed the case against Siam on January 5, 2023.

The case alleged that Siam acquired illegal assets worth 37.30 lakh taka between September 3, 2021, and June 30, 2024.

After completing the investigation, the investigating officer submitted a charge sheet against Siam on December 30, 2023. The investigation found evidence of movable and immovable assets worth 31.81 lakh taka that were inconsistent with his known sources of income.

On June 17 this year, the court framed charges against Siam and ordered the trial to begin. All 11 witnesses testified during the trial. After completing the proceedings and finding the charges proven, the court delivered the verdict.