8 to hang for Lalbagh commissioner Alim murder

A Dhaka court today awarded death penalty to eight people including three siblings for killing a Lalbagh ward commissioner, Hazi Mohammad Alim, 18 years back.

Alim, commissioner of ward No. 62 in Lalbagh, was shot and stabbed to death at Azimpur in the capital on February 8, 1996.

The convicts are: Md Harun, Md Siraj, Md Shawkat, Md Shiblu, Md Kamal and Syed Ahmad and his two brothers -- Rashid Ahmad and Farid Ahmad.

All the convicts but Shiblu, Shawkat and Kamal were present at the courtroom during the judgement.

Judge Md Akhtaruzzaman of the Third Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court pronounced the verdict at a packed court room.

While passing the order, the judge said the fugitives' punishment will be effective from the day of their surrender or arrest.

On the following day of the murder, victim's brother Bodir Uddin Babla filed a murder case with Lalbagh Police Station.

According to the case statement, Alim, a local Awami League activist, was killed for protesting criminal activities committed by the convicts.

After extortionists Harun and Siraj shot Alim, the six other convicts stabbed him to confirm his death, said Hazi Nazimuddin, another brother of the victim and also an eye witness.