Four to die, five get 10 yrs

Ashraful Haque alias Asha, a leader of Bandar Upazila JCD, was killed in an attack on August 28, 2002.

Those who received death penalty are Boro Shahadat, Chhotaikka Badal, Narayan, and Boncha Suman.

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The five other convicts are Sarwar Hossain, Phensi Johnny, Pichchi Shahadat, Jamal Papli, and Bokra Farid. They were also fined Tk 10,000 each, in default, to serve six months more in prison.

The court also acquitted seven other accused -- Abdur Rashid Contractor, Azizul Haque, Sanaullah Sanu, Liton, Monir, Gopal and Mohsin.

Of the convicts, two were tried in absentia. The fugitives are Bocha Suman and Sarwar Hossain.

According to the prosecution, the criminals attacked Ashraful Haque Asha and his companion Zakirul Islam Ratan with sharp weapons and hacked them in Jamaipara area of Bandar Upazila.

Later, Asha died on the way to hospital.

His father Abdul Haque filed a case with Bandar thana the next day.

After examining 25 witnesses, the District and Sessions Judge handed down the verdict in a crowded court.