For two murder convicts, life sentence runs until death

The Supreme Court has reduced the sentence for two death-row murder convicts to life imprisonment, but it would be until death.

The four-member Appellate Division bench, headed by Chief Justice SK Sinha, on Tuesday gave its order for the two convicted for shooting dead one ‘Zaman’ at Gazipur in 2001.

Anwar Hossain, Ataur Rahman and Kamrul Islam were given the death penalty by a speedy trial court in 2003.

The sentence was upheld at the High Court.

Anwar and Ataur moved the Appellate Division to overturn their sentences, while

Kamrul remained a fugitive.

The top appeals court then reduced their sentence to life imprisonment.

“But while delivering the verdict, the court said life sentence meant imprisonment until death. So it was not for 30 years,” said defence lawyer Khandker Mahbub Hossain.

“The court said they will be in prison until they die of natural causes. I have protested it.”

Life sentence meant 30 years in prison as stated in the Code of Criminal Procedure, he said. "It can then be reduced in prison. But that does not apply to imprisonment until death.”

“I said the comment by Chief Justice SK Sinha should not be in the main verdict. Because it will then apply to all cases.”