A Dhaka court yesterday framed charges against 11 people, involved with two banned militant groups, in a case filed over the killing of eight people during a robbery at a private bank in Ashulia last year.
Judge SM Kuddus Zaman of the Dhaka’s District and Sessions Judge’s Court passed the order and fixed February 1 to begin the trial in presence of 10 of the accused.
After the charges were read out to them, the accused pleaded not guilty and demanded justice.
So far, seven of the accused gave confessional statements before magistrates in the case.
The charge-sheeted accused are Burhan Uddin, Al-Amin, Babul Sarder, Mintu Pradhan, Jasimuddin, Abdul Baten, Mozammel Haque, Ukil Hasan, Mahfuzul Haque, Shajahan Jamadar and Palash alias Sohel Rana – all alleged members of Ansarullah Bangla Team and Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh. All but Sohel Rana are in jail.
On December 6, police filed two charge sheets – one for the killings and the robbery, and the other for possessing explosives.
On April 21, robbers shot seven people dead and injured at least 25 others at the Ashulia branch of Bangladesh Commerce Bank Ltd in broad daylight before leaving the area with Tk35 lakh. One of the robbers was beaten to death by a mob who chased the robbers.
During probe, the investigator found involvement of 13 people in the sensational incident. Of them, one was killed by the mob while the mastermind, Abdullah Al Baki, was killed in an alleged shootout with the law enforcers in the capital’s Gabtoli last month.
