GK Shamim, 7 bodyguards get life term in arms case

A Dhaka Court on Sunday sentenced controversial contractor SM Golam Kibria, popularly known as GK Shamim, and his seven bodyguards to life imprisonment in an arms case.

Judge Sheikh Samidul Islam of the Dhaka Special Tribunal-4 pronounced the judgment in presence of all the convicts, including GK Shamim in a jam-packed courtroom.

The seven convicted bodyguards are: Md Murad Hossain, Md Delwar Hossain, Md Jahidul Islam, Md Shahidul Islam, Md Samsad Hossain, Md Kamal Hossain and Md Aminul Islam.

The court in its verdict mentioned that the prosecution was able to prove the charges brought against GK Shamim and others undoubtedly and they were given the highest punishment for their offences.

A total of 10 prosecution witnesses, including the complainant of the case, testified before the court in the case.

Earlier, on January 28, 2020, the court started the trial by framing charges against the eight accused in the much-talked-about case.

According to the charge sheet, submitted by police on October 27, 2020, GK Shamim was directly involved in extortion, tender manipulation, illegal drugs and casino business.

GK Shamim amassed a huge fortune through tender business by intimidating people with licenced arms and collecting ‘toll’ from bus terminals. His bodyguards used to win tenders of big projects by brandishing weapons and intimidating people.

GK Shamim’s bodyguards also used to control gambling businesses and carry out extortion. He was trying to launder his ill-gotten money abroad, said the charge sheet.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), on September 20, 2019, raided GK Shamim’s residence and office in the capital’s Niketan area following allegations that he was involved in extortion and tender grabbing.

During the raid, RAB arrested GK Shamim along with his seven bodyguards on charges of extortion and tender manipulation.

The RAB members seized eight firearms, a huge amount of ammunition, fixed deposit receipt (FDR) worth Tk 165 crore, around Tk 1.8 crore in cash, a large stash of US and Singaporean dollars and some foreign liquor during the drive.

A total of four cases were filed against him on charges of arms, drugs, money laundering and acquisition of wealth beyond known sources of income. Shamim and his bodyguards were also remanded in several phases in the cases.