Shariatpur Public Prosecutor Murder in 2001: Six sentenced to death

Police's investigation report of the case filed over the killing of Public Prosecutor Habibur Rahman and his brother in Shariatpur showed law enforcement's negligence and lack of professionalism, a judge said yesterday while delivering verdict in the case.

Judge Md Showkat Hossain of the Additional District and Sessions Judge's Court in Shariatpur made the observations while handing death sentence to six accused and life-term imprisonment to another four.

The investigation report was frustrating, the judge said, adding that investigation officers did not find the truth, allowing many culprits to skip the case. He said the double murder happened following a political riot on October 5-6, 2001, triggered by rumours.

The death-row convicts are Shahid Talukdar, Shahin Kotwal, Shahid Kotwal, Shafi Kotwal, Solaman Sardar and Mojibar Rahman Talukdar. They were also fined Tk 10,000 each. The court also sentenced Sarowar Hossain, Babul Talukdar, Babul Khan, Dablu Talukdar and Tokai Rashid to life-term imprisonment and fined them Tk 10,000 each, in default of which they will be sentenced to six months more in jail.

Three other accused -- Montu Talukdar, Aslam Sardar and Jakir Hossain Mojnu -- were sentenced to two-year imprisonment.

The court acquitted 39 other accused.

It also issued conviction and arrest warrants against five absconding accused.

Meanwhile, Shariatpur municipality mayor Parvej Rahman John, also son of victim Habibur Rahman, told The Daily Star they would challenge the judgement at the higher court.

Masudur Rahman, a defence lawyer, also said that they were dissatisfied with the verdict and would go to the High Court.

Shariatpur district court's Public Prosecutor Habibur Rahman, also joint general secretary of district unit Awami League, and his brother Monir Hossain were brutally shot to death at their house in Sadar upazila while campaigning for the 8th JS polls on October 5, 2001.