The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Khulna

A Court here yesterday awarded seven years' rigorous imprisonment to City Mayor Shaikh Tayebur Rahman and Public Relations Officer Sarder Abu Taher of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) for taking bribe.

Judge Shirin Kabita Akhter of the Jananirapatta Bighnakari Aparadh Daman Tribunal also fined each of them Taka 100,000 or, in default, to suffer another six months in jail. KCC Public Relations Officer Sarder Abu Taher is absconding.

The Court acquitted five others but could not give verdict of another accused Tariqul Islam Jahir as the High Court earlier ordered postponement of his trial in the lower Court.

According to the brief prosecution story, one Abu Abdullah Elin filed a case with Khulna thana on November 3 last year accusing eight persons of KCC including Mayor Tayebur for taking bribe of Taka 4,50,000 against Taka 6,00,000 they demanded.

The accused persons received the bribe money on assurance of providing jobs to two nephews of Abu Abdullah. But they did not keep their promise later.

Those acquitted are: Engr Mashiuzzaman, Kazi Saiful Islam Babu, M Khairul Anam, SM Quamrul Islam (absconding) and SM Wahidul Islam (absconding).

The Court examined 11 witnesses out of the total 18 and completed the trial within 60 days from the day the charge was framed.

Additional PP Shamimuzzaman pleaded for the state while Advocate Nurul Hasan Ruba stood for the defense.