A Chattogram court has sentenced Abdul Noor, 68, to 14 years in prison under the Special Powers Act for illegally selling medicines intended for government hospitals on the open market. In addition to the prison term, Noor was fined 10,000 taka, with a further three months of simple imprisonment in the event of non-payment.
The verdict was delivered on Thursday by Judge Begum Sirajam Munira of the 4th Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court in Chattogram. Abdul Noor, the son of Abdul Motaleb of the Dampara area, was absent during the hearing. Authorities have subsequently issued an arrest warrant against him.
Prosecution Details
Additional Public Prosecutor Morshedur Rahman Chowdhury stated that the charges were substantiated based on the testimony of four witnesses. Abdul Noor was initially arrested on 25 March 2013 in front of the KC De Road Cinema Palace under Kotwali Police Station jurisdiction. At the time, officials recovered various government-supplied medicines, which are strictly prohibited from open-market sale. Investigators determined that the medicines had been stored with the intention of illegal sale.
Following the arrest, then Sub-Inspector Kazi Masud Ibne Anwar filed a case with Kotwali Police Station. After a thorough investigation, a charge sheet was submitted to the court on 18 August 2013, and formal charges were framed on 11 March 2014 under Section 25 of the Special Powers Act of 1974, marking the start of the lengthy trial.
This verdict highlights the seriousness with which authorities are addressing the illegal distribution of government-supplied medicines, ensuring accountability for those who seek to profit from public health resources. Court sources emphasised that the lengthy legal proceedings reflect the complexity of such cases and the time required to gather sufficient evidence for prosecution.
| Convict | Age | Charges | Sentence | Fine | Arrest Date | Case Filed By |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abdul Noor | 68 | Selling government medicines | 14 years imprisonment | 10,000 BDT | 25 Mar 2013 | Sub-Inspector Kazi Masud Ibne Anwar |
Authorities have warned that anyone found engaging in similar illegal activities involving government resources will face strict legal action.