Priest Joggeswar Murder: Rajib Gandhi, 3 others sentenced to death
Neo JMB leader Jahangir Alam alias Rajib Gandhi and three of his accomplices were sentenced to death yesterday by a Rajshahi court for the 2016 murder of Hindu priest Joggeswar Dasadhikari Roy.
Jahangir is also an accused in another case of planning the Holey Artisan Café attack.
The other convicts are Rajibul Islam Molla alias Badhan alias Badal, Alamgir Hossain, and Ramzan Ali.
Rajshahi's Speedy Trial Tribunal Judge Anup Kumar delivered the verdict.
Rajibul has been absconding since the murder.
Jahangir, Alamgir and Ramzan were present in the court during announcement of the verdict.
Jogeswar Dasadhikari, 50, a priest of Sri Sri Shonto Gaurio Temple at Debiganj upazila's Sonapota area, was killed on February 21, 2016.
The assailants slit his throat and two devotees were injured as the criminals fired gunshots and exploded improvised explosive devices while fleeing.
Within hours, US-based SITE Intelligence Group, which tracks online activity of jihadist organisations, said Islamic State claimed responsibility for killing the priest, but local authorities denied the presence of IS in the country.
In yesterday's verdict, three other accused -- Harej Ali, Khalilur Rahman and Md Rana -- were acquitted.
Comments