Dhaka: The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Monday upheld a High Court verdict that scrapped the 7-year jail sentence against environment and forest minister Anwar Hossain Manju in a graft case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

The four-member bench of the Appellate Division, headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, passed the order after dismissing a leave-to-appeal, filed by the ACC, challenging the HC verdict, reported UNB.

Barrister Rokon Uddin Mahmud stood for Manju while Advocate Khurshid Alam for ACC.

Earlier on 25 August, 2007, the ACC filed the case against Manju over charges of taking bribes TK 75 lakh.

On 10 June, 2008, Dhaka Special Judge court sentenced Manju to 7 years in jail and fined Tk75 lakh.

Later, Manju filed an appeal with the High Court, challenging the legality of the trial court verdict.

In response to Manju’s appeal, the HC on 10 August, 2010, scrapped the lower court verdict.

On 08 April, 2014 the ACC filed a ‘leave-to-appeal’ with the Appellate Division against the HC verdict.