Dhaka, Feb 12 (bdnews24.com)– A Dhaka court Tuesday sentenced Awami League leader, and Sheikh Hasina's cousin, Sheikh Helaluddin to seven years rigorous imprisonment in a Tk 1 crore extortion case.
Dhaka joint metropolitan sessions judge Mohammad Shafiul Azam awarded Helal's accomplice Munshi Sayeduzzaman the same sentence, and fined the two Tk 1 lakh or another six months in jail in case of non-payment of fine.
Among the five accused in the case, Sheikh Helal, Shahin Chakladar, Khorshed Alam and AHM Kamal Hossain are fugitive.
The fifth accused Munshi Syeeduzzaman had received bail from the High Court.
Tuesday's verdict acquitted three of the five—Shahin Chakladar, Khorshed Alam and AHM Kamal Hossain.
Mamtaz Uddin, project coordinator of road construction firm RCL, filed the Tk 1.02 crore extortion case on May 21 last year with Kafrul Police Station.
The project coordinator claims that after winning a contract of the roads and highways department in May, 2000, accused Syeeduzzaman threatened not to allow work to go ahead unless Mamtaz paid Sheikh Helal.
The plaintiff allegedly paid the accused Tk 87.9 lakh in cash and the rest through cheques.
After the case was included for trial under emergency powers rules, the charge-sheet was submitted in court on July 31, 2007.
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