Five to hang for murder of photojournalist Aftab Ahmed

The court has sentenced five to death for the murder of photojournalist Aftab Ahmed during a robbery in Dhaka’s Rampura.

The verdict was announced by Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal – 4 Judge Abdur Rahman Sardar on Tuesday.

On Dec 24, 2013, the 78-year old photojournalist was killed during a robbery in his home on Wapda Road at West Rampura. Police recovered the body the next day.

The five death row convicts are Aftab’s driver Md Humanyun Kabir Mollah, Billol Hossain Kislu, Habib Hawladar, Md Raju Munshi and Md Rasel.

Another suspect, Md Shabuj Khan has received seven years in prison and a Tk 10,000 fine. A failure to pay the fine would result in an additional year of imprisonment.

According to the verdict, “Shabuj was only tasked with guarding the house and was not directly involved in the murder. He is also 18 years old and his age was taken into consideration in his reduced punishment.”

Among the convicts Raju Munshi and Md Rasel are currently at large. The rest were on the docks when the verdict was delivered on Tuesday.

As the sentences were read out, convict Shabuj broke into tears, while the death row convicts remained silent.

“It is impossible to accept that a reporter of Aftab’s age and wisdom would meet such a death,” observed the judge. “It is important the punishment is exemplary and helps protect and establish the rule of law in our country.”

“Shabuj should hang and the two absconding suspects must be arrested as soon as possible” said Aftab’s daughter Afroza Ahmed Bonna immediately after hearing the verdict.

Hailing from Rangpur and born on 23 Dec, 1935, Aftab Ahmed started working for the Daily Ittefaq in 1962.

He received the 'Ekushey Padak' award in 2006.

Ahmed has several books including 'Shadhinota Sangrame Bangali', 'Banglar Muktir Sangram-Sirajuddoula Theke Sheikh Mujib' and 'Amra Tomader Vulbona'.

His camera captured some of the most poignant images of the 1971 Liberation War and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

One of his pictures, taken during the 1974 famine at northern district of Kurhigram, features teenage girl 'Bashanti' wearing a fish-net to cover her body to make up for shortage of clothes.

Aftab was killed at his home on Dec 24, 2013 when he tried to block the robbery. Suspects Habib, Billol and Humayun confessed in court to the murder.

A case was filed at Rampura Police Station against unknown perpetrators by Aftab’s brother-in-law. Five, including Aftab’s driver, were arrested in January 2014 over the case.

RAB submitted the chargesheet on Mar 25, 2014 after completing their investigation.

Dhaka's third additional metropolitan sessions judge's court indicted the suspects on Jul 24 of that year.

The case came before the speedy trial tribunal a few months ago after all witnesses were deposed. Former Dhaka Bar Association Executive Council President Md Borhan Uddin represented the defence.

The state called 20 witnesses during the trial, while the defence called none.

The closing arguments were heard on Mar 20 and the judge set Mar 28 for the date of the verdict.