Cox’s bazar: A court here today sentenced four people to death and nine others to life-term imprisonment for the killing of Navy officer Lieutenant Tanjim Sarwar Nirjon during a joint forces operation at Chakaria. Fifth Additional District and Sessions Judge Court of Cox’s Bazar Mohammad Abul Mansur Siddiqui delivered the verdict.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the court acquitted five accused due to lack of evidence. In a separate arms case linked to the same incident, 13 accused were sentenced to 17 years of imprisonment while five others were acquitted. Lawyers mentioned that 12 accused were present in court during the pronouncement of the verdict while one convict remained absconding.
The individuals sentenced to death are Helal Uddin, Nurul Amin, Nasir Uddin, and Morshed Alam, all residents of different areas of Chakaria upazila. The nine individuals awarded life imprisonment are Jamal Uddin Babul, Mohammad Arif Ullah, Mohammad Anwar Hakim, Joyabul Karim, Ismail Hossain, Enamul Haque alias Tota Enam, Mohammad Enam, Md. Kamal, and Abdul Karim.
Security around the court premises was tightened immediately after the verdict, with additional police and law enforcement personnel deployed. The convicted persons were later taken back to prison under strict security.
The incident occurred on September 24, 2024, at Purba Maizpara area of Dulahazara Union at Chakaria upazila when joint forces launched an operation against a band of armed robbers. Members of the gang attempted to flee after sensing the presence of the forces. Lieutenant Nirjon chased the robbers and caught one of them, but was critically stabbed by the robbers, succumbing to his injuries on the way to CMH in Ramu.
After an investigation, police submitted charge sheets against 18 accused on January 19, 2025. The verdict was delivered nearly 20 months after the killing.