The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

A court here yesterday sentenced former communications minister Barrister Nazmul Huda to 12-year rigorous imprisonment (RI) in an extortion case.

Metropolitan 5th Additional Sessions Judge Mohammad Abu Mohsin delivered the verdict in presence of the convict.

Nazmul Huda will have to suffer seven years in jail under section 385 and five years under section 386 of the Penal Code. He was also fined Taka 50,000, in default, to serve six months more in prison, court sources said, adding the punishment under both the sections will be executed simultaneously.

The court, however, acquitted another accused in the case Advocate Sigma Huda as charges brought against her were not proved.

According to the prosecution, the plaintiff of the case, former MP and owner of Cabex GM Siraj, lodged a case against Nazmul Huda and his wife Sigma Huda accusing them of demanding two vehicles as extortion for "Khoborer Antorale" newspaper on February 23, 2003.

Later, the plaintiff gave an 800cc Maruti vehicle to them through a pay-order of Taka two lakh from Uttara Motors on February 27, 2003. He also done the registration of the vehicle in the name of Sigma Huda on November 29, 2004.

The investigation officer of the case submitted charge sheet to the court accusing the two on November 27, 2007.

The court, after examining 13 prosecution witnesses out of 21, pronounced the judgement.