A court has sentenced three brothers to death and 10 other people to life imprisonment for the murder of farmer Shafiqul Islam Sabi in Nandail, Mymensingh, over an old enmity and a land dispute.
Judge Md Shamsuddin of Mymensingh’s First Additional Sessions Judge’s Court delivered the verdict on Wednesday afternoon.
Those sentenced to death are Mozammel Haque Swapan, Apan Mia and Ripon Mia. Those given life terms are Abu Bakar Siddique, Kanchan Mia, Rubel, Parvez, Mofazzal Hossain, Kashid, Al-Amin, Suman Mia, Nayan Mia and Asadul. Each of those jailed for life was also fined Tk 50,000, and will serve a further year of rigorous imprisonment if the fine is not paid.
According to the case and court sources, farmer Shafiqul Islam Sabi, son of Hazrat Ali of the Char Bhelamari area of Nandail upazila, was sitting in a clothes shop near the Char Bhelamari Chourasta ferry ghat on 25 February 2015. The accused attacked him there with local weapons over the earlier land dispute and hacked him to death.
The victim’s brother, Rafiqul Islam, filed a murder case with Nandail police station, naming 13 people and a further 10 to 12 unidentified suspects.
After the investigation, the court heard and cross-examined 16 witnesses. It delivered the verdict after lawyers for the state and the defence had made their closing arguments, finding the charges against the accused proven.
Mymensingh court inspector Mostasinur Rahman confirmed the verdict and said it was delivered in the presence of 11 of the 13 accused. Ripon Mia, who was sentenced to death, and Asadul, who was given a life term, are on the run.
Advocate Anwar Aziz Tutul appeared for the state and Advocate AKM Amanullah Badal for the defence.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report