A Dhaka court today framed charges against SM Golam Kibria Shamim, popularly known as GK Shamim, and his seven bodyguards in an arms case.

Shamim and his bodyguards, now in jail, pleaded not guilty and demanded justice after Judge Md Rabiul Alam of the Third Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court read out the charges to them.

The court fixed February 26 for starting trial in the case.

The judge also rejected petitions filed by Shamim and the seven bodyguards seeking bail in the case.

Rapid Action Battalion members on September 20 last year arrested Shamim on charges of extortion and tender manipulation. His bodyguards were also arrested.

On that day, the elite force members raided his house and office in the city’s Niketan and seized eight firearms, a huge amount of ammunition, fixed deposit receipt (FDR) worth Tk 165 crore, around Tk 1.8 crore in cash, a large stash of US and Singaporean dollars and some foreign liquor.

Later, Rab lodged three cases against Shamim with Gulshan Police Station.

The lawmen raided the house of GK Shamim, an influential contractor of the Public Works Department and other government organisations, following information that he accumulated some money and was involved in extortion and tender grabbing.