A court here yesterday sent a trader to jail in connection with a case filed by Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) on charge of purchasing stolen government rice.

The accused, Akbar Ali, is owner of Nawab Auto Rice Mill in Atahar area of Sadar upazila.

Chapainawabganj District and Sessions Judge Liakat Ali Molla sent the accused to jail after he surrendered before the court, Public Prosecutor Jobdul Haque said.

Earlier, Liakat secured bail from the High Court for four weeks and surrendered before the court yesterday, he said.

According to the case statement, Rab seized 90 tonnes of rice, meant for “Food for Work Programme,” on March 9 from Nawab Auto Rice Mill while the labourers were changing the government sacks.

They also detained three people, including two UP members from the spot, while the mill owner Akbar Ali managed to escape.