4 sentenced to life imprisonment

Thirteen years after the murder of Abdur Rashid, a court in Netrokona sentenced two of his cousins to life imprisonment for their proven involvement in the crime.

They have also been fined Tk 50,000 each and would have to undergo five years’ rigorous imprisonment if they fail to comply.

The culprits are Rashid’s two cousins - Babul, 43, and Shafikul, 39 - and locals Abdul Malek, 65, and Chanfor, 58.

Prosecution lawyer Azam Khan said Additional District Judge Md Abdul Hamid delivered the verdict in the presence of the accused around noon on Tuesday.

On May 13, 2001, Abdur Rashid had been beaten to death at Charulata village of the Kalmakanda upazila.

Another accused, Abdul Jabbar, died while during the progress of the trial.

He said, “The five accused had murdered Rashid to settle old scores. They also forced Rashid’s mother to file a case of abnormal death.”

But police investigations revealed the incident to be one of homicide.

“On November 30 2001, Rashid’s wife filed a murder case against the five.”

“Police formally produced a charge-sheet before the court on April 7, 2002.”