Prosecution seeks life term sentence for Papia couple

GBNEWS24 DESK//

The prosecution has pleaded for life imprisonment for expelled Jubo Mohila League leader Shamima Noor Papia and her husband Mofizur Rahman Sumon in an arms case at Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge KM Imrul Kayes’ court on Thursday.

“We think the prosecution has been able to prove the case against them beyond any reasonable doubt and the court would sentence them life imprisonment,” said Dhaka Metropolitan Public Prosecutor (PP) Abdullah Abu during their closing arguments in the case.

After the end of the prosecution arguments, the defence started submitting their arguments for Papia’s husband Mofizur Rahman Sumon and pleaded for acquittal. Then they started arguments for Papia. At the end of the proceeding, the court adjourned the hearing till Sunday.

The prosecution on September 8 ended their testimony in the case as they produced total of 12 witnesses on different hearing dates.

Investigation officer (IO) and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) sub-inspector Arifuzzaman filed chargesheet against the couple in the case on June 29, showing 12 persons as witnesses.

The court on August 23 framed charges in the case.

Earlier on February 22, RAB arrested Papia and her husband, along with two of their accomplices, Sabbir Khondker and Sheikh Tayyiba, from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport with counterfeit banknotes, foreign currencies and cash.

RAB later raided their two luxurious flats at Indira Road in Dhaka and seized a foreign-made pistol, two magazines, 20 bullets, five bottles of foreign liquor and Tk 58.41 lakh in cash, among other things.

One case was filed under the Arms Act with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station, one under the Special Powers Act and another under the Special Powers Act with the Airport Police Station.