In a verdict concluding a high-profile case, a Dhaka court sentenced prominent Bangladeshi businessman Aziz Mohammad Bhai to life imprisonment for the 1998 murder of popular film actor Sohail Chowdhury.

Bhai, a co-founder of the Olympic Group conglomerate and known for organizing stage shows featuring leading Bollywood actresses in the 90s and early 2000s, belonged to the minority Aga Khan community. He was one of nine accused in the unsolved murder of Chowdhury, a top actor in Bangladesh's film industry, Dhalywood, during the same period.

Sohail Chowdhury was shot dead by unidentified assailants in 1998. The case remained open for over two decades before recent arrests led to a trial and verdict.

The owner of Tramps Club, Afakul Islam (Banti Islam), and Adnan Siddiqui also received life sentences along with Aziz Mohammad Bhai because of their involvement with actor Sohel Chowdhury's murder.

The court, headed by Judge Arunabh Chakrabarti, acquitted six remaining defendants: Ashish Rai Choudhury (Bottle Choudhury), Tariq Sayeed Mamun, Faruque Abbasi, Sanzidul Islam Emon, Selim Khan, and Harun-Or-Rashid (Leather Liton). The prosecution's case against them failed to meet the burden of proof.

Judge Chakraborty of Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-2 had earlier set this date after hearing closing arguments from both the prosecution and the defense. Defense arguments concluded on February 11, 2024, following the completion of witness testimonies on January 28.

The case file details a lengthy journey. Sohel's brother filed a case in December 1998, leading to a charge sheet against nine suspects in July 1999. Charges were formally framed in October 2001.

However, the trial faced delays. After a transfer to the Speedy Trial Tribunal, proceedings were stayed by the High Court in 2004 due to a petition from one of the accused. This stay order remained in place for 18 years before being lifted in February 2022, allowing the case to resume and finally reach a verdict.