Former RAB man blames ex-commander for consequences after conviction for seven murders

Former Narayanganj councillor Nur Hossain and ex-RAB officer Tarek Sayeed Mohammad, the prime accused in the sensational seven murder case, appeared unmoved when the judgment was being pronounced.

When the judge began to deliver the verdict on Monday, two of the accomplices of Nur, an expelled Awami League leader, started crying.

Nur consoled them at that time, saying, "Nothing will happen to you."

Two of Tarek's subordinates in RAB started to blame the senior officers for the consequences they are facing.

"Shala! (you rogue!) You are responsible for our situation today!" one of them was heard saying to Tarek.

'Shala', a Bangla word meaning brother-in-law, is often used as a slang expression.

সাবেক র‌্যাব কর্মকর্তা আরিফ হোসেন, পেছনে এম এম রানা

In the short verdict, Narayanganj District and Sessions Judge Syed Enayet Hossain sentenced Nur, Tarek, two other senior RAB officers, and 22 others to death. Nine others got jail terms.

The 18 of the accused were produced before the heavily-guarded court from Narayanganj jail after 9am.

Nur and four RAB officials were brought from Gazipur's Kashimpur Jail after another half an hour.

Twelve of the convicts, including eight RAB officials, are absconding.

Tarek and the then local camp commanders of the force, MM Rana and Arif Hossain, were put in the box and Nur and the 20 others in a cage.

Lawyers said the former senior RAB officers were not kept with the others as according to intel, the other convicts could attack them during the delivery of the verdict.

There were previous instances of brawl among the accomplices of Nur and Tarek's subordinates at the hearing.

Public Prosecutor Wazed Ali Khokon said, "If the number of persons accused of brutal murders is large, fears remain over others attacking the mastermind.

"So there were separate arrangements for the former senior RAB officers."

Over 500 police personnel were deployed in the court area in the morning ahead of the verdict.

Judge Enayet entered the courtroom after 10am. He read out only the verdicts, omitting the analysis of the crimes committed by the convicts and observations.

He said the charges of abduction, murder, concealing the bodies, conspiracy and destroying evidences were proved beyond any doubt.