Seven to die for killing AL man

A Dhaka court yesterday sentenced seven people, including a listed criminal, to death and jailed another for life term for killing an Awami League man in 2006.

Hazi Moniruddin Monu, member of AL Ward No. 12 unit, was gunned down on August 15, 2006.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

Capital punishment has been handed down on Mohammad Shahdat Hossain, a listed criminal and accused in more than 20 criminal cases, Md Mintu, Masudur Rahman Tota, Noman Ibne Bashar, Liton Hossain Lotus, Mahinur Rahman Sohel and Md Hasan Sarwar.

The court gave life term imprisonment to Mosammat Jahanara considering her gender identity, although the murder charge brought against her was proved undoubtedly.

Jahanara was given the punishment for assisting the killers by identifying the victim.

The court also fined her Tk 20,000, in default of which she would have to serve one more year in prison once she surrenders or is arrested.

Of the convicts, Sohel and Sarwar are behind bars, while the rest including Shahdat are on the run.

Judge ABM Nizamul Haque of the Speedy Trial Tribunal-4 of Dhaka pronounced the verdict in presence of Sohel and Sarwar at a packed courtroom.

The punishment of the fugitives will be effective from the day of their arrest or surrender and the convicts with death can file an appeal with the High Court within 30 days from the day of receiving the certified copy of judgement.

Eight extortionists gunned down Monu in Mirpur-12 in the capital around 3:45pm after a programme organised on the occasion of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's death anniversary as he had refused to pay Tk 1 crore in toll.

Monu's elder brother Akbar Ali filed a murder case with Mirpur police against Shahdat, Mintu and four to five unknown assailants.