HC gives status quo on tax evasion case against Dr Kamal

The High Court on Tuesday directed the Appellate Tribunal to maintain status quo on a case proceedings filed by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) against Dr Kamal Hossain and Associates on charges of evading Tk 6.85 crore in tax payment in fiscal 2018-2019.

In response to a writ petition, a High Court (HC) bench, comprising Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice SM Maniruzzaman, also issued a rule asking the government to explain why the Appellate Tribunal decision upholding NBR assessment that Dr Kamal Hossain and Associates law firm evaded Tk 6.85 crore in tax payment in the 2018-2019 tax year should not be quashed.

Earlier on June 5, Dr Kamal Hossain and Associates filed a petition with the HC challenging the Taxes Appellate Tribunal’s decision that upheld the National Board of Revenue (NBR)’s assessment of Tk 6.85 crore tax evasion by the law firm in FY19.

The law firm partner, Sharif Bhuiyan, filed the petition challenging the Taxes Appellate Tribunal’s decision that rejected the firm’s appeal against the NBR’s demand for showing assets of Tk 20.11 crore owned by Dr Kamal Hossain and Associates.

The law firm submitted a statement of income tax of Tk 1.04 crore in the tax year of 2018-2019, according to the petition.

The NBR started investigation into the bank accounts of Dr Kamal Hossain, president of a Gono Forum’s faction, and his law firm, after he formed the Jatiya Oikyafront, the BNP-led opposition alliance, ahead of the 2018 national election.

The tax watchdog later claimed that the law firm possessed assets of over Tk 20 crore and evaded tax of Tk 6.85 crore in the tax year.

Barrister Rokanuddin Mahmud, Barrister Ramzan Ali Shikder, Barrister Mostafizur Rahman Khan and Barrister Tanim Hossain Shaon appeared for Kamal while Deputy Attorney General Samarendra Nath Biswas and Assistant Attorney General Abul Kalam Khan Dawood represented the state.