A Cyber Tribunal in Rajshahi on Sunday sentenced a youth from Natore district to three years’ rigorous imprisonment in a case filed under the Digital Security Act on a charge of running an illegal sports gambling operation online.

Judge Md Ziaur Rahman delivered the verdict in the case against Shafiqul Islam, 23, son of late Mokbul Hossain of Hazratpur area under Natore sadar upazila, public prosecutor Ismat Ara Begum said.

The convict was also fined Tk 1 lakh, in default of which he would have to serve an additional six-month in jail.

Ismat Ara said that law enforcers arrested Shafiqul and three others at a store at Hazratpur Bazar under Natore sadar upazila while the arrestees were operating a sports betting business that illegally accepted bets and wagers on sporting events such as BPL, IPL, and Big Bash League over the internet and mobile phones.

The law enforcers also recovered Tk 46,347 in cash and several blank cheques, and ATM/Shopping Cards from the arrestees.

Later, a case was filed with the Natore sadar police station against Shafiqul, who used to run a sports shop at Hazratpur Bazar, under the Digital Security Act for his involvement in conducting an illegal sports gambling operation online on 30 July in 2019.

The PP said that the tribunal delivered the verdict in presence of the convict since the charge against him was proved beyond doubt.