UPDF leader Michael Chakma sentenced to eight years in extortion case
PARBATTANEWS REPORT
A court in Rangamati has sentenced United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) leader Michael Chakma to eight years of rigorous imprisonment in an extortion case.
The verdict was delivered on Thursday by the Additional District Judge’s Court in Rangamati under Section 385 of the Penal Code, 1860. The case was registered as Special Case (SC) No. 36/9.
Another accused, Suman Chakma, received the same sentence for his involvement in the same case.
According to case documents, the charges stem from an extortion incident that took place on 30 October 2007. Both Michael and Suman Chakma were accused in the case, which was filed at Longadu Police Station the same day.
Investigations by parbattanews.com found that on 30 October 2007, security forces detained the two men with arms and cash while they were allegedly engaged in extortion activities. They were later handed over to Longadu Police Station. The case was recorded as Longadu Police Station Case No 5, dated 30 October 2007, and General Register (GR) No. 330/2007.
After a lengthy trial, the Special Tribunal-2, Additional District and Sessions Judge in Rangamati, delivered its judgment on 19 September 2023.
The tribunal sentenced Michael Chakma to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment in an arms case, and an additional seven years for issuing threats and committing extortion.
The court had ordered that both sentences would run concurrently.
In the same verdict, co-accused Suman Chakma was sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment for extortion and involvement in terrorist activities.
The sentence against Michael Chakma could not be enforced at that time, as he was reported missing when the verdict was delivered.
