A court has sentenced SM Golam Kibria Shamim, a controversial government contractor, and his seven bodyguards to life imprisonment in a firearms case.
Judge Sheikh Samidul Islam of the Special Tribunal-4 delivered the verdict on Sunday.
The other convicts are Delwar Hossain, Murad Hossain, Jahidul Islam, Shahidul Islam, Kamal Hossain, Samshad Hossain and Aminul Islam.
The eight convicts were found guilty of an offence under section 19(e) of the Arms Act and were also fined Tk 10,000 each. They were, however, acquitted of two other charges under the legislation.
After the verdict, Shamim claimed to be the “victim of a deep-seated conspiracy” as he was escorted out of the courtroom by police. “I am innocent. I’ve been framed,” he told reporters.
Defence counsel Shahinur Islam raised questions about the basis of the conviction. Shamim has a firearm licence and the proof of ownership for the weapon seized from him was submitted to the court, he said.
It has been alleged that the weapon was illegally used for intimidation in order to commit extortion and tender-grabbing, he said.
“However, he [Shamim] was arrested at his home, from where the firearm was also seized. We don’t understand how it could have been used for intimidation at his home. Moreover, none of the witnesses spoke about intimidation in court.”
Shahinur added that Shamim has been sentenced under section 19(a) of the Arms Act, whereas he was charged under section 19(e). “We don’t know when the charge was changed.
On whether they will appeal the verdict, Shahinur said a decision will be made after reviewing the full judgment.”
However, Assistant Public Prosecutor Salahuddin Howlader, who represented the state, refuted the defence team’s assertion that Shamim’s sentence was not in keeping with the provision under which he was charged.
“The sentence has been passed in accordance with the provisions under which the complaint was made. He has been charged under section 19(e) for illegal use of a lawful weapon.”
Shamim has been handed the maximum punishment for this offence which is life imprisonment, Salahuddin added. “The charges were not changed so there is no scope for any confusion.”
Shamim’s wife Shamima Sultana, who was in court to hear the verdict, said the severity of the punishment took her by surprise.
“I knew there would be a penalty, but I didn’t realise it would be so harsh. Our lawyers will appeal [the sentence],” she told reporters.
The court moved to open trial proceedings against Shamim and hi bodyguards after indicting them on Jan 28, 2020.
A total of 10 people have testified in this case for the state.
Shamim, who passed himself off as a Jubo League leader, made a fortune as a government contractor.
The Rapid Action Battalion arrested Shamim and his bodyguards in a raid on his business in Dhaka’s Niketon on Sept 20, 2019.
The authorities seized about Tk 20 million in cash, Tk 1.75 billion worth of fixed-deposit receipts or FDR savings, alcohol and firearms during the raid.
It came two days after a RAB unit arrested Jubo League leader Khaled Mahmud Bhuiyan, who was expelled by the organisation, for running illegal casino operations inside the Young Men’s Club in the capital’s Fakirapool.
Shamim was known as an influential contractor in the neighbourhoods of Sabujbagh, Basabo and Motijheel. He also made headlines for using his influence over the Public Works Department to secure contracts.
