Chattogram Court Hands Nine Life Sentences

A court in Chattogram has sentenced nine individuals to life imprisonment in a high-profile murder case involving the abduction and killing of a police informant in the port city’s Bandar police jurisdiction. The verdict was delivered on Tuesday (31 March) by Muhammad Ali Akkas, Judge of the Sixth Additional Metropolitan Sessions Court of Chattogram.

The convicted individuals have been identified as Rezaul Karim, Zainal Abedin, Abdullah, Md Selim, Abul Kashem, Salauddin, Md Solaiman, Rezaul Karim Reza, and Harun-or-Rashid. The court also imposed financial penalties on each convict, reinforcing the severity of the crime and its long legal aftermath.

According to court records, the case stems from a brutal incident dating back nearly two decades. On 15 September 2005, Noor Alam, also known locally as Bablu, was abducted from a road adjacent to the Co-operative Singapore Market in the Halishahar Chhoto Pool area under Bandar police station. The victim was known to law enforcement authorities as a police informant, or “source”, assisting with intelligence gathering in criminal investigations.

His disappearance triggered immediate concern among family members and local residents. The following day, police recovered his body, confirming that he had been murdered shortly after being abducted. The victim’s mother, Ayesha Akhtar Lucky, subsequently filed a murder case at Bandar police station, initiating a lengthy judicial process that would span several years.

Following an extended investigation, law enforcement authorities submitted a charge sheet on 25 September 2006, naming 16 individuals in connection with the crime. After years of hearings, evidence examination, and witness testimonies, the court ultimately found nine of the accused guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

Details of Conviction and Sentencing

The court sentenced each of the nine convicts to life imprisonment. In addition, each was fined BDT 20,000, with a further six months’ imprisonment imposed in default of payment.

Court officials confirmed that the judgment was based on corroborated witness statements, documentary evidence, and investigative findings presented over the course of the trial. The prosecution successfully argued that the abduction was premeditated and directly linked to the victim’s role as an informant assisting police operations.

The court also observed that the murder demonstrated elements of organised criminal retaliation against individuals cooperating with law enforcement, a factor that weighed heavily in sentencing considerations.

Long Legal Process and Case Background

The case, registered at Bandar police station, reflects the often lengthy judicial timelines associated with serious criminal proceedings in Bangladesh, particularly those involving multiple accused persons and complex evidentiary requirements. From the initial charge sheet submission in 2006 to the final verdict in 2026, the case extended across nearly two decades.

During this period, the prosecution presented multiple witnesses, including members of the victim’s family, investigating officers, and local residents who provided accounts of the abduction and subsequent discovery of the body. The defence, meanwhile, challenged the credibility of certain witness statements and sought acquittal on grounds of insufficient direct evidence.

However, the court ultimately determined that the cumulative weight of evidence established the involvement of the nine convicted individuals beyond reasonable doubt.

Broader Legal Significance

Legal observers note that cases involving the killing of police informants often carry significant implications for law enforcement operations, particularly in areas affected by organised crime and gang activity. Informants play a critical role in assisting investigations, and attacks on such individuals are widely regarded as attempts to obstruct justice and intimidate cooperation with authorities.

The judgment is expected to reinforce legal deterrence against such offences, while also highlighting the judiciary’s role in delivering accountability even in long-delayed cases.

Court officials indicated that the verdict marks the conclusion of a prolonged judicial process, though the convicted individuals retain the right to appeal to a higher court under existing legal provisions.