Charges were pressed against seven former policemen of Khilgaon Police Station and an ansar after it was proved that they mugged two businessmen at Meradia, Goran on October 31.

Inspector Salahuddin of Khilgaon Police Station, the investigation officer (IO) of the case, submitted the charge sheet to the Court of Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Dhaka yesterday, 10 days after the incident.

Of the seven policemen who stand accused of mugging, Sub-Inspector (SI) Shahjahan Sabuj and constables Habibur Rahman, Abul Khair Mollah and Mohammad Faruq are evading arrest.

The four others -- SI Shamsul Haque, constables Mohammad Azhar and Helal Uddin and Ansar Mohammad Azad Hossain -- are now in Dhaka Central Jail.

The IO sought court order to confiscate the property of the fugitive policemen and a warrant of arrest against them.

The IO however did not press charge against police informant Delwar, as his name and address could not be found. He made 15 people prosecution witnesses.

A businessman filed a case under the Law and Order (Disruption) Speedy Trial Act on October 31 against the eight law enforcers and the police informant soon after they robbed two Jhut (garment by-products) traders of Tk 2 lakh.

Immediately afterwards, locals caught four policemen and recovered Tk 1.46 lakh from SI Shamsul Haq.

The mugging took place when people of Meradia were demonstrating against the policemen of the same police station, protesting the killing of a young man in their custody. Police allegedly tortured Shakil Ahmed Sumon to death, as his parents did not pay Tk 2 lakh to police in bribe.