3 to die, 5 get life

Judge Shamsul Alam Khan of the Third Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court gave the verdict at a jam-packed courtroom.

The convicts with death are Shahid Zaved Goira alias Garib Miah, Ismail Mollah alias Gulu and Sundar Babu while Shahjahan, Mohammad Yunus Mollah, Shahadat Hossain, Montu and Shamim were given life in jail.

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Of the covicts, Garib Miah, Gulu, Babu, Shahjahan and Yunus were present in the court during the delivery of the judgement while Shahadat, Montu and Shamim were tried in absentia.

The convicts with death can appeal to the High Court against the judgement in seven days and the punishment of the fugitives will be effective from the date of their arrest or surrender, the judge said.

The court acquitted five accused-Mohammad Abdul Khaleq alias Kawa Khaleq, Arshad alias Asad, Mohsin, Liton and Sujan-as the charges brought against them were not proved.

Victim's foster mother Ayesha Khanam, wife Rokeya Begum, son Adnan Hossain Russel and daughter Razia Sultana were present in the court and they broke down in tears on hearing the verdict. They also expressed their satisfaction over the judgement.

In the case filed with Sutrapur Police Station, it was alleged that Gazi Liakot Hossain alias Kala Liakot was shot dead by a gang of miscreants over previous enmity at Taherbagh at Sutrapur in the city at about 9:30pm on March 14,1998.

Later, victim's wife Rokeya Begum filed a murder case against Sundar Babu and 10 others next day. The investigation officer pressed charges against Sundar Babu and 12 others on September 9,1998. The court framed charges against the accused on July 2, 2002.