14 years rigorous imprisonment in gold smuggling case

In the gold smuggling case, Noor Islam of Gatipara village of Benapole has been sentenced to 14 years rigorous imprisonment and another month's imprisonment in default of payment of a fine of 1000 taka. Noor Islam is the son of Babar Ali of Gatipara village in Benapole. Jessore Additional District and Sessions Judge Mohammad Zakir Hossain Tipu gave this order on Monday, October 7. Bench Assistant Shahriar Ibn Azad confirmed the matter.

According to court sources, on April 7, 2015, at 11 am, the BGB received information that a gold smuggler in the guise of a C&F border man would go to India anytime through the ICP gate with gold. In view of that, a team of BGB strengthened the security and started searching. At 11:30 a.m., they became suspicious when they saw someone coming with the ID card of the border man. Later he was arrested and started interrogation. His name is Noor Islam. During this time he kept giving different information. At one stage, he said that 21 pieces of gold bars were recovered in a specially hidden condition inside his leather sandals. The price of which is 90 lakh 30 thousand taka.

JCO Ayub Ali filed a case at Benapole Port Police Station in this incident. The case was investigated by the then officer-in-charge Apoorba Hasan. He submitted the charge sheet to the court accusing Nur Islam and two others. On the day of announcing the verdict on Monday, the accused was given this sentence in the presence of Noor Islam. At the same time Piarul and Mukul Chowdhury were acquitted. They are the current owners of Benapole-Barisal MM Paribahan.