5 to die in Keraniganj double murder case

The convicts are Shafiqul Islam, Mohammad Arif, Mohammad Masud, Mohammad Nazrul Islam alias Nazu and Mister alias Chhoto Mister.

Of the convicts, Shafiqul Islam was present in the court during the delivery of the judgement while the rest were tried in absentia.

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Judge Kamrul Hossain Mollah of the Fifth Additional District and Sessions Judge's Court gave the verdict in the case of murder of Sharif Hossain and his son Khokan.

"All the accused have been given death penalty twice for killing the two victims but one of the sentences will be executed subject to the confirmation of the High Court," the judge said.

The punishment of the fugitives will be effective from the date of their arrest or surrender, the judgement said.

Earlier, the prosecution and defence completed their arguments and the court recorded statements of 18 prosecution witnesses.

On July 13, 1993 the five accused went to Sharif's shop at Barishur Bazar in Malopara at about 3:00am and demanded goods on credit. On refusal, the gang stabbed Sharif with lethal weapons.

Hearing Sharif's cry, his son Shahjahan rushed to the spot from the nearby room. Shahjahan was also assaulted when he tried to save his father. The miscreants also stabbed Sharif's seven-year-old son Khokan indiscriminately as he came forward to rescue his father and brother Shahjahan.

Sharif and Khokon died on the spot while Shahjahan recovered his health after treatment for a long period.

Sharif's elder son Abdur Rahim filed a murder case with Keraniganj Police Station accusing Shafiq and four others the same day. The investigation officer pressed charges against them on August 26, 1994.

During the investigation, two accused and seven witnesses gave judicial statements disclosing names and involvement of the accused in the case.

Rahim, complainant of the case, was present in the court and expressed his satisfaction at the verdict.

District Public Prosecutor (PP) Mohammad Mohshin Miah and Special PP Ilias Shah Ratan appeared for the state.