Death penalty for 15 in murder case over land dispute

A Dhaka court has handed death penalty to 15 people for their roles in the murder of Nazrul Islam, a clothing trader in Dohar in a conflict over land a decade ago.

Dhaka First Additional District and Sessions Judge Pradeep Kumar Roy announced the verdict on Wednesday as he sentenced two others to life in prison.

On Apr 3, 2008, the perpetrators killed Nazrul Islam at Narisha West Char beside the Buriganga Bridge over a land dispute, State Counsel Advocate Kazi Shahanara Yasmin told bdnews24.com.

Nazrul’s uncle Nazimuddin Ahmed filed a case with Dohar Police Station the same day.

On Apr 3, 2008, the perpetrators killed Nazrul Islam beside the Buriganga Bridge over a land dispute, State Counsel Advocate Kazi Shahanara Yasmin told bdnews24.com.

Among the 15 to be hanged, Siraj alias Seru Karigar, Minhaz Alias Minu, Khalil Karigar, Shahjahan Karigar, Kalu alias Kuti Karigar, Azhar Karigar, Niaz Uddin, Mozammel Alias Shuja, A Latif, Jalal and Billal Roy were present in the court as the verdict was announced. The rest of the accused—Didar, Ershad, Jalil Karigar and Ibrahim—are at large.

Majidal alias Majeda and China Begum have been given a life term and are absconding as of now. The court has fined them Tk 20,000 each. They will have to serve one more year in prison in case they fail to pay the fine, said State Counsel Kazi Shahanara Yasmin.

The accused had a dispute over land with Nazrul, according to the case details. There had been multiple cases running in court on the issue. The accused had hit Nazrul with an iron rod and bamboo sticks injuring him severely.

They hit Nazrul’s wife Shurjovan when she came forward to save him. Nazrul was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where the doctors on duty declared him dead.

Nazrul’s uncle Nazimuddin Ahmed filed a case with Dohar Police Station the same day.

Anowar Hossain, sub-inspector of the Detective Police, submitted the charge sheet in July 2008, accusing 17 persons following an investigation.

The court began the trial on May 25, 2009 and announced the verdict after recording testimonies of 14 witnesses from the complainants.