Ctg UP chairman murder in 1999: 10 to walk gallows, 5 get life term

Twenty years after submitting charge sheet, a court in Chattogram today sentenced ten persons to death and five persons to life term imprisonment in connection with the murder of Satkania's Sonakania Union Parishad Chairman Amjad Hossain in 1999.

Chattogram Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal Judge AKM Mozammel Haque passed the verdict after the court found the accused guilty beyond doubt -- examining all the witnesses and evidence, reports our Chattogram staff correspondent quoting plaintiff's lawyer Advocate SUM Nurul Islam.

The court also fined the five who were awarded life term imprisonment with Tk 50,000 each while it acquitted four others as their involvement was not proved.

Advocate Nurul said, among the 20 accused, one died a few years ago. Nine are on the run, he added.

Amjad Hossain, an Awami League leader and chairman of Ward No-17 of Sonakania union of Satkania upazila, was shot dead by criminals in front of a tea stall at Mirzakhil Banglabazar area under the upazila while a local Oras (religious festival) was happening on October 4, 1999, according to the case statement.

Following the murder, victim's wife filed a case accusing 20 persons with Satkania Police Station.

Later, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) submitted a charge sheet implicating 20 persons before a court in Chattogram in 2000.