‘Execute Biswajit murder verdict soon’

Family members of the slain Dhaka tailor Biswajit Das have demanded immediate execution of the verdict on the sensational murder.

Dhaka’s Speedy Trial Tribunal-4 on Wednesday sentenced eight to death and awarded life sentence to 13 others for their involvement in the murder of the tailor in Old Dhaka during a strike.

The tribunal’s judge ABM Nizamul Haq delivered the verdict against the 21 accused, most of whom are students of Jagannath University.

Thirteen of the accused are still at large.

Articulating the family’s view, Biswajit’s younger brother Uttam Kumar Das said he was satisfied with the verdict and demanded immediate execution of the verdict.

He, however, expressed dismay over police’s inability to arrest 13 other convicts. “They should be arrested soon.”

The murder had put the ruling Awami League in a tight spot as all those accused belonged to the party’s student affiliate, Bangladesh Chhatra League.

Biswajit was hacked to death by Bangladesh Chhatra League activists on Dec 9 last year near the Bahadur Shah Park in Old Dhaka during a strike called by the BNP-led 18-Party alliance.

Sutrapur Police Station Sub-Inspector Jalal Ahmed filed the case accusing 25 unknown people.

Opposition leaders had severely criticised the ruling party for accusing unidentified people even after newspapers and TV channels carried reports with photos and visuals of those who attacked Biswajit.

The case was transferred to Dhaka’s Speedy Trial Tribunal-4 from the Dhaka District Judge’s Court earlier this year for a speedy trial.

After hearing the final arguments on Dec 4, the court had set Wednesday for delivering the verdict.

The eight who have been awarded death sentence are Rafiqul Islam Shakil, Mahfuzur Rahman Nahid, Emdadul Haque Emdad, GM Rasheduzzaman Shawon, Saiful Islam, Kaium Mia, Rajon Talukder and Mir Nur-e Alam Limon.

Talukder and Limon are absconding.

Those who have been awarded life sentences are Golam Mostofa, AHM Kibria, Yunus Ali, Tarik Bin Johor Tomal, Alauddin, Obaidur Qader Tahsin, Imran Hossain, Azizur Rahman, Al-Amin, Rafiqul Islam, Kamrul Hasan, Monirul Haque Pavel and Mosharraf Hossain.

Only Mostofa and Kibria are behind the bars. The rest are absconding.