Six get life term in Chattogram customs officer murder case

A court has sentenced six people to life imprisonment for the murder of customs officer Akbar Said Chowdhury, who was killed by having a towel twisted around his neck in Chattogram two decades ago. Sixth Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Muhammad Ali Akkas pronounced the verdict on Monday afternoon, April 13.

Each of the convicts was also fined Tk 25,000, with an additional year of imprisonment in default of payment. Five other accused were acquitted as charges were not proven.

The convicts are Bellal Hossain, Dalim Mallik, Kamal Sikdar, Al Amin, Ponu Bepari and Md Hossain. Among them, Kamal Sikdar is on the run. They were reportedly members of a 'towel gang'.

Those acquitted are Selim, Humayun Kabir, Abu Taher, Shahid Raja and Jamal.

According to case documents, Akbar Said Chowdhury, Preventive Officer of Chattogram Customs, Excise and VAT, was attacked by miscreants while returning by auto-rickshaw on the night of August 29, 2006, in front of Ankur School in Nasirabad residential area under Panchlaish Police Station. His body was later recovered with a towel twisted around his neck.

The case stated that members of a towel gang robbed him and killed him on the spot.

The victim's brother, Moeen Uddin Said Chowdhury, filed a murder case at Panchlaish Police Station. Charges were framed in the case on February 4, 2010, and the court delivered its verdict after recording testimony from 37 witnesses.