death penalty news July 22, 2004
BANGLADESH: Five get capital punishment for double murder in Keraniganj Five young men were today awarded death penalty, four in absentia, by the district court for murder of a father and his minor son at Keraniganj 11 years ago. Shafiqul Islam was handed down the death sentence on the dock while Masud, Nazrul Islam alias Naju, Mister alias Choto Mister and Arif remained fugitive. They were also fined Tk 40,000 each. According to the prosecution, the convicts chopped to death Sharif Hosdsain (40), grocery shop owner at Malopara Barishoor bazar, for asking payment of cigarette they took from the shop on July 13, 1993. His 9-year old son Khokan, who saw his father murdered, was also chopped to death. Police arrested Shafiqul, Masud and Arif following the double murder. They confessed their guilt and named accomplices Nazrul Islam and Choto Mister in the murder. How Masud and Arif secured bail from the court to go into hiding remains a mystery. There was also no effort to arrest Nazrul and Choto Mister, family sources of the victims said in the court verandah. After examining 18 witnesses additional judge Qamrul Hossain Molla pronounced the verdict in a crowded court. (source: matamat.com)
