The High Court yesterday commuted the death sentence of three convicts to life imprisonment in a case filed for killing schoolgirl Purnima Samaddar in Magura in 2010.

The three, now in jail, are -- Yusuf Joarder, Zillur Rahman and Akkas Sheikh.

According to the prosecution, Yusuf, Zillur and Akkas abducted Purnima Samaddar, 14, a student of Char Mashishpur High School at Ghoshial village in the upazila, while she was returning home around 1:30pm on August 4, 2010.

They took Purnima, daughter of Manojit Samaddar, to a jute field and tried to rape her. As she cried for help, they strangled her.

Yesterday, the HC bench of Justice Md Ruhul Quddus and Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty delivered the verdict after hearing the case's death reference and appeals.

If a lower court sentences any person to death, its judgment is examined by the HC through hearing arguments for confirmation. The case documents and judgment reach as death reference to the HC from the lower court in seven days after the latter delivers the verdict.

The HC commuted their death sentence as “they have been in the condemn cell for a long period of time and they were young during the commission of the crime”, Deputy Attorney General Moniruzzaman Rubel told The Daily Star.

He said the government will move an appeal before the SC's Appellate Division seeking capital punishment for the convicts.   

Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal of Khulna on October 3, 2011 sentenced the three to death. Later, they filed separate appeals with the HC challenging the verdict.

Advocate ABM Nurul Islam, Advocate Abdul Matin Khasru and Advocate Ahsan Ullah appeared for the convicts.