A tribunal in Dhaka today framed charges against Regent Group Chairman Mohammad Shahed in an arms case.

Shahed, accused in 56 cases, pleaded not guilty and demanded justice after Judge KM Emrul Kayesh of the Special Tribunal-1 of Dhaka read out the charges to him.

Earlier in the day, the tribunal rejected a discharge petition submitted by his lawyer.

The tribunal fixed September 10 to start trial of the case.

DB Inspector Md Sairul Islam, also the investigation officer of the case, on July 30 submitted the charge sheet to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court of Dhaka, showing 13 people as prosecution witnesses.

On July 26, Shahed was shown arrested in the case after the IO submitted a petition.

The IO in the charge sheet said the charges brought against Shahed were primarily proved and he should be brought under trial.

On July 19, a team of DB found Shahed's private car in front of a house in Sector-11, in the city's Uttara Paschim area. They seized a pistol with a round of bullets from the car and later a case under the Arms Act was filed against him.

Shahed was arrested on July 15 from Satkhira when he was trying to leave the country on a boat.

On July 26, Shahed was placed on a 38-day remand in five cases including an arms case filed with Satkhira.