7-murder death reference reaches HC

The death reference of the sensational Narayanganj seven-murder case reached the High Court today for examining the trial court verdict that sentenced 26 persons to death.

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

Officials of the Narayanganj court concerned brought the documents of the seven-murder case, including the judgment, to the HC, its Additional Registrar Sabbir Faiz told The Daily Star.

“We will now pray to the chief justice for his approval for preparing paper book of the case. If Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha gives approval, we will take steps for preparing paper book for hearing the death reference,” he said.

It may take two months’ time to prepare the paper book, Sabbir also said, adding that the chief justice may assign a HC bench for hearing the death reference after the paper book is prepared.     

On January 16, Narayanganj District and Sessions Judge's Court found 35 people, including 25 former Rab officials and expelled ruling AL man Nur Hossain, guilty of abduction and murder of seven people and destroying evidence in April 2014.

The court handed down death penalty to 26 people, including 16 former Rab men and jailed nine other accused for various terms, from seven to 17 years.