Dhaka: A court in Dhaka on Tuesday framed charges against four people, including the Jamuna Group chairman, his wife, and son, in a case filed against them for illegally producing and marketing ‘Crown’ and ‘Hunter’ beers.

Judge Abdur Rahman Sardar of Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-4 framed the charges, rejecting the discharge petitions of the accused, reports UNB.

The judge also passed an order for starting the trial process by fixing 19 January for hearing the witnesses of the case.

The four accused against whom the charges were framed are Jamuna Group chairman Nurul Islam Babul, his wife and MP Salma Islam, their son Shamim Islam and Crown Beverages Ltd general manager Mohammad Shuroj Rahman Sheikh.

Public prosecutor Mahfuzur Rahman said Nurul Islam Babul, his wife, and son pleaded not guilty standing in the dock, but the court turned down their discharge petitions.

The court also rejected a plea of Babul seeking exemption from personal appearance in court, but accepted that of Salma.

On 8 March 2004, Narcotic Control Department Inspector Mohammad Azadul Islam Salam filed a case with Gazipur’s Kaliakoir Police Station against the accused under the Narcotic Control Act 1990 for illegally producing and marketing alcohol from Crown Beverages Limited factory.

Later on 31 March 2004, the IO of the case submitted chargesheets before a Gazipur court against the accused.

The case was transferred to Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal the same year.