Samrat back to prison after hospital stay

Former Jubo League leader Ismail Hossain Chowdhury Samrat, an alleged kingpin of the illegal casino business in the capital, was taken back to Dhaka central jail yesterday after being given treatment at National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD).

He was brought back to his cell around 12:30pm, jailor Mahbubul Islam told The Daily Star.

Samrat was admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital on October 8 as he “felt sick” and was later moved to NICVD’s coronary care unit. He remained under observation for more than 48 hours and underwent some medical tests there, the jailor said.

Earlier, Prof Afzalur Rahman, director of NICVD, also the head of a seven-member medical board to assess Samrat’s health, informed his condition was stable. 

On October 06, Rab arrested Samrat, former president of Dhaka South Jubo League, and his close aide Enamul Haque Arman, former vice-president of the same unit, at Cumilla.

A Rab mobile court, led by Executive Magistrate Sarwoer Alam, sentenced Samrat to six months’ imprisonment for possessing wild animal hides and another six months for possessing illegal liquor.

Rab filed two cases against him with Ramna police station under the arms and narcotics control acts the next day.

The law enforcement officials also recovered from his possessions an illegal 7.65mm pistol, five bullets, 1,160 yaba pills, and tools that could be used for torture. 

He came under the spotlight after Rab busted his illegal casino business at different sporting clubs in Dhaka. He was expelled from Jubo League because of his arrest.