Five to die, 13 get life

A Khulna court yesterday sentenced five people to death and four others to life imprisonment for killing a schoolboy in Jhikargachha upazila of Jessore district in 2013.

The death penalty awardees are Motiur Rahman, Ariful Islam, Mohsin Reza Shaheen, Mamun Chowdhury Mukul and Hajrat Ali.

The lifers are Abul Kashem, Iqbal Hossain, Jaheed Hasan and Rashida Begum. Hajrat, Mamun, Mohsin and Kashem were tried in absentia.

According to the prosecution, a gang kidnapped Riadul Islam Miraj, a Class VI student of BM High School and son of Mizanur Rahman of Laljani village in the upazila on November 20, 2013.

The gang later demanded Tk 25 lakh as ransom from Miraj's father Mizanur over cellphone. Mizanur sent Tk 15 thousand to a bKash number the following day and was collecting Tk 3 lakh more to give the abductors.

On November 23, Miraj's body was found in a ditch in Narangali Beel area under Jessore Sadar upazila.

Mizanur filed a case with Jhikargachha Police Station the same day. The case was later transferred to the Detective  Branch (DB) of police. DB submitted a charge sheet against nine people to the  Speedy Trial Tribunal, Khulna.

After examining witnesses and evidence, Judge MA Rob Hawlader found them guilty and pronounced the verdict.

Away in Mymensingh, a court here yesterday sentenced nine people to life imprisonment for killing a man in Ishwarganj upazila of the district in 2003, reports our correspondent.

The lifers are Akram Hossain, Md Giasuddin, Emdadul Haque, Ershadul Haque, Saidul Islam, Bachchu Miah, Idris Ali, Jewel and Helal Uddin. They hail from Bhatirchar Naupara village in the upazila.

Of them, Giasuddin, Emdadul and Ershadul were present in the court while the rest were tried in absentia, court sources said.

Second Additional District and Sessions Judge's Court also fined the convicts Tk 5000 each. In default, they are to suffer three months more in prison.

The court acquitted 14 other accused as charges brought against them could not be proved, court sources said.

According to the prosecution, neighbours killed Shahjalal of the village following an altercation over the ownership of a piece of land on May 18, 2003.

Victim's wife Noor Jahan lodged a case with Ishwarganj Police Station the following day, accusing 25 people. Police pressed charges against the accused and two of them died during the trial of the case.

After examining the witnesses and case record, Judge Mohammad Johirul Kabir pronounced the verdict.