Dhaka, Dec 18 (V7N)— The High Court has acquitted six individuals, including former State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfuzzaman Babar, who were previously sentenced to death in the controversial 10-truck arms smuggling case in Chittagong.

The verdict was delivered on Wednesday by a High Court bench comprising Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice Nasrin Akhter.

Those acquitted alongside Babar include Mohsin Talukder, Enamul Haque, Rezzakul Haider, the late former Industries Minister Matiur Rahman Nizami, and former National Intelligence Service (NSI) officer Abdur Rahim.

Additionally, the court commuted the death sentence of ULFA leader Paresh Barua to life imprisonment and reduced the sentences of six others to 10 years in prison. The six whose sentences were reduced are Akar, Liaquat, Shahabuddin, Din Mohammad, and Haji Abdus Sobhan.

Background of the Case:

The case dates back to April 1, 2004, when a consignment of weapons, loaded in 10 trucks, was seized from the CUFL Ghat in Chittagong. The arms were allegedly being smuggled to Indian separatist groups.

Two cases were filed under the Arms Act and the Special Powers Act at Karnaphuli Police Station. On January 30, 2014, the Chittagong Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court sentenced 14 individuals to death in connection with the arms smuggling.

Key individuals sentenced included:

Former Industries Minister Matiur Rahman Nizami (executed in another case).

Former State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfuzzaman Babar.

Indian separatist group ULFA military commander Paresh Barua.

Senior officers of intelligence agencies.

The trial court also sentenced the accused to life imprisonment in the related case under the Arms Act.

Appeals and Recent Verdict:

Following the trial court’s decision, the case reached the High Court on February 6, 2014, as a death reference case. Convicted individuals also filed separate appeals against their sentences.

The High Court’s latest decision comes after years of legal proceedings, which included hearings on the death reference and appeals that began on November 6, 2024.

The case, which involved high-profile figures, remains one of the most controversial in Bangladesh’s legal history.

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