Court sentences two muggers to death for 2005 murder in Kalyanpur

A confession, years on the run and a long trial culminate in the verdict

A Dhaka court has sentenced two snatchers to death for hacking a man to death during a robbery in Dhaka’s Kalyanpur 21 years ago.

Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Mosaddek Minhaz delivered the verdict for Sohel Rana alias Kalu and Nazim Uddin alias Noju, both of whom are absconding, on Sunday.

Additional Public Prosecutor Khalilur Rahman Khalil said each convict was also fined Tk 50,000.

The court issued arrest warrants along with warrants to execute the sentence.

According to the case, Shafiqul Alam, the victim, arrived at Kalyanpur bus stand from Bogura in the early hours of Jun 22, 2005, and was heading to a friend's house.

Near Asia Cinema Hall, three muggers threatened him with sharp weapons and tried to rob him of his cash and mobile phone. When he resisted, they repeatedly hacked him before fleeing.

Locals rushed Shafiqul to hospital, where he died. His father, Akbar Ali, later filed a murder case at Mirpur Model Police Station.

Police arrested Kalu and Nazim, and Kalu confessed before a court. Both later secured bail and absconded.

Investigators filed the chargesheet on Apr 5, 2006. The court framed charges that September, examined nine of 14 witnesses and, after concluding arguments, delivered the verdict.