Ex-Jubo League leader 'Casino kingpin' Samrat jailed for life in arms case

A Dhaka court has sentenced former Dhaka Metropolitan South Jubo League president and "Casino kingpin" Ismail Hossain Chowdhury Samrat to life imprisonment in an arms case.

Judge Md Ibrahim Miah of Dhaka Special Tribunal-2 delivered the verdict today (28 October). Additional Public Prosecutor Md Abdur Rahim confirmed the ruling, stating that as Samrat was absconding during the pronouncement, an arrest warrant has been issued against him.

In the judgment, the court described Samrat — once a prominent leader of the youth wing of the then-ruling Awami League — as someone who "should have been a figure of integrity, safeguarding public peace and progress," but instead became "an emblematic driver of the misuse of power."

According to the verdict, Samrat was found in possession of a 7.65 pistol with five rounds of live ammunition, along with an electric shock device, a specialised baton, and Yaba tablets — all allegedly used to torture individuals in a secret chamber. The judgment noted that "the state remains uncertain how many people Samrat tortured, perceiving them as threats to his dominion."

The court also cited evidence linking Samrat to illegal casino operations, describing him as the "Casino Emperor" involved in around 10 clubs established for gambling. It further observed that he had built a "strong cadre force" to carry out extortion in government and private institutions, maintaining what the court termed a "kingdom of sin." Given the gravity of his offences, the court ruled that "no penalty other than life imprisonment would suffice to uphold the law."

Samrat was arrested by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on 6 October 2019 in Chauddagram, Cumilla. A subsequent raid on his Kakrail office uncovered foreign liquor, a firearm, and the hide of a rare wild animal. He was sentenced to six months' imprisonment by a mobile court for illegal possession of the wildlife hide.

The next day, RAB-1's DAD Abdul Khaleque filed separate cases under the Narcotics and Arms Acts with Ramna Police Station. Following investigation, Sub-Inspector Shekhar Chandra Mallick of RAB-1 submitted the charge sheet in November 2020.

The trial formally began on 16 January, when charges were framed against Samrat. His bail was revoked that day due to his absence, and a warrant for his arrest was reissued.

Over the course of the proceedings, the tribunal recorded testimonies from 10 of the 14 witnesses. After the closing arguments concluded on 7 October, the court set 28 October for the announcement of the verdict, which now seals Samrat's fate with a life term in prison.