The Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge鈥檚 Court on Thursday sentenced gold trader Robiul Islam alias Arav Khan, his wife, and six of their associates to life term imprisonment for the murder of Special Branch inspector Mamun Imran Khan in 2018.
Judge Md Zakir Hossain of the court handed down the verdict, which had been deferred multiple times since the conclusion of the case summing up arguments.
The other convicts include Arav Khan鈥檚 wife Suraiya Akhter Keya, his friend Rahmat Ullah, and associates Swapan Sarkar, Didar Pathan, Mizan Sheikh, Atiq Hassan, and Sarwar Hossain.
Arav and his wife Suraiya are still in hiding and were tried in absentia. Six other convicts are now in jail.
The court, however, acquitted two other accused 鈥� Meherunnisa alias Swarna and Faria Binte Maisa 鈥� of the charges.
The court framed charges against the accused persons on November 25, 2021.
Inspector Mamun Imran Khan was killed on July 8, 2018, at an apartment in the capital鈥檚 Banani area.
His burnt body was recovered the next day from a forest in Gazipur.
Detective Branch inspector Sheikh Mahbubur Rahman, the investigation officer of the case, submitted the charge sheet on April 11, 2019.
Arav Khan is currently believed to be residing in Dubai where he runs a jewellery business.
An Interpol red notice is active against him. His public appearance in the United Arab Emirates sparked widespread attention in 2023 when several Bangladeshi celebrities, including cricketer Shakib Al Hasan, attended the grand opening of his jewellery outlet 鈥楢rav Jewellers鈥�.
As controversy mounted over Arav鈥檚 sudden rise and alleged links to high-profile figures, former inspector general of police Benazir Ahmed issued a Facebook statement on March 18, 2023, denying any acquaintance with him.
鈥楧ear countrymen, I would like to fully assure you that I don鈥檛 know any person by the name of Arav alias Rabiul alias Hridoy,鈥� he wrote.
Benazir, who led the Bangladesh Police from April 2020 to September 2022 and previously served as director general of the Rapid Action Battalion, made the statement amid growing speculation on social media about his alleged connections with Arav.
Separately, on May 9, 2023, another Dhaka court sentenced Arav Khan to 10 years鈥� rigorous imprisonment in an arms case filed against him in January 2015.
According to law enforcement officials, Arav fled the country following the murder. He first travelled to India and later managed to reach Dubai using a passport under a fake identity.
