The court of Chittagong 4th Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Shariful Alam Bhunya passed the verdict on Monday (March 1) afternoon.

The convicts are: bus driver Md Sabuj (32), son of Abdul, Supervisor Palash Mandal (26), son of Sukumar Mandal and helper Nasir Hawladar (30), son of Rob Hawlader.

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Although the driver and helper were present during the verdict, the supervisor was absconding following a bail from the High Court.

Additional Public Prosecutor Anupam Chakraborty of the Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court said the court had sentenced the Shyamoli bus driver and supervisor to 10 years in prison and the helper to five years in prison and fined them Tk 5,000 each. Another 6 months imprisonment has been given for non-payment.

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He added, "Charges were framed against the three on September 6, 2020." The court pronounced the verdict on Monday after a total of 10 witnesses were found guilty.

According to court sources, RAB signaled to stop the Shyamoli Business Class passenger bus (Dhaka Metro-B 14-974) leaving Cox's Bazar for Dhaka on June 29, 2016 at around 3 pm in front of the Kotwali Police Station Beach Hotel.

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Seeing the RAB team, the driver, supervisor and helper left the bus and tried to escape, but RAB detained them. After searching the bus and bodies of the driver, supervisor and helper, 19,000 yaba were recovered. A case was filed against them under the Narcotics Act at Kotwali police station.