Absconder Aziz Md Bhai, 2 others get life term

Three fugitives including controversial businessman Aziz Mohammad Bhai were sentenced to life term imprisonment by a Dhaka Tribunal on Thursday for killing popular actor Sohel Chowdhury in 1998.

Two other fugitive-convicts are owner of Trumps Club, Afakul Islam alias Bunty Islam and Adnan Siddiqui.

Judge Arunabh Chakra-borty of Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-2 delivered the judgment in presence of two accused.
The tribunal acquitted six other accused including top terror Sanjidul Islam Emon saying that the charges were not proved against them.

 The tribunal also fined them Tk 2 lakh each or to suffer one month more behind bars in default.

The six acquitted people are Tarek Sayeed Mamun, Selim Khan, Harun Ur Rashid alias Leather Liton alias Boss Liton, Faruk Abbasi, Sanjidul Islam Emon and Ashish Roy Chowdhury alias Bottle Chowdhury.

On April 29 the tribunal ended the augments after hearing both the sides and fixed Thursday for the delivering the verdict.

During the trial, a total of 10 prosecution witnesses testified before the court.

 Of the nine accused, Emon is behind bars and was produced before the court for the judgment, while Ashish Roy Chowdhury was on bail and appeared before the court on Thursday. On December 18 in 1998, actor Sohel was shot dead by some unidentified criminals at Trumps Club in Abedin Tower on Road No 18 at Banani.

Sohels brother Touhidul Islam Chowdhury filed a case with Gulshan Police Station in connection with the murder.

After investigation, Detective Branch of police submitted charge sheet to the court on August 2 in 1999.

On October 30, 2001, Dhakas Third Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judges Court framed charges against the accused.

Two years after framing charges against the accused, the case was transferred to the Speedy Trial Tribunal-2 for its quick disposal.

Following a petition of an accused in the case, the High Court in 2003 stayed the proceedings of the trial. Later, in February, 2022, the trial resumed in the case.