A local court has sentenced four men to death in two cases over killing of Bangladesh Army Lt Tanzim Sarwar by a gang of robbers in Chakaria of Cox’s Bazar.
Five others were given life imprisonment, while four received 10 years each, Senior government lawyer Mohammad Jahangir and Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) confirmed the verdict to reporters.
Additional District and Sessions Judge’s Court Judge Abul Mansur Siddiqui passed the order around 12pm on Wednesday.
The four sentenced to death are Morshed Alam, Md Helal Uddin, Nurul Amin alias Amin, and Md Nasir Uddin — all residents of Dulahazara in Chakaria upazila.
Among them, Morshed Alam remains absconding.
A total of 18 people were accused in the two cases filed over the killing incident. Of them, five were acquitted.
They prosecution presented 52 witnesses in the case and 46 in the arms case, while the defence produced seven witnesses.
Additional Public Prosecutor Khorshed Alam Chowdhury said, “This verdict was delivered after testimony from both sides and arguments, without bias or influence. Defence lawyers cross‑examined witnesses, and the judge took time to ensure no innocent person was punished.”
Those sentenced to different terms include Jalal Uddin alias Babul, Mohammad Arif Ullah, Md Anwar Hakim, Md Ziab ul Karim, Md Ismail Hossain alias Hossain, Enamul Haque Enam alias Tota Enam, Mohammad Enam, Md Kamal alias Bindi Kamal, and Abdul Karim alias Md Karim. Of them, Abdul Karim remains absconding.
Court sources said charge sheets in the murder and arms cases were submitted on 19 January 2025, accusing 18 people. Twelve were arrested, while six remained absconding.
At that time, Senior Judicial Magistrate Anwarul Kabir of Chakaria issued arrest warrants and seizure orders against the fugitives.
On 23 September 2024, Lt Tanzim Sarwar, 23, of the Bangladesh Army was killed in Dulahazara Union’s Purba Maizpara area of Chakaria during an anti‑robbery operation, stabbed by a gang of robbers.
On 25 September, Senior Warrant Officer Abdullah Al Harunur Rashid filed the murder case. Sub‑Inspector Alamgir Hossain filed another case under the Arms Act. Both cases were investigated by Chakaria Police Inspector (investigation) Arup Kumar Chowdhury.
After four months of investigation, the charge sheet was submitted.
