3 sentenced to death in Lalmonirhat murder case

A Lalmonirhat court on Tuesday sentenced three men to death in a murder case relating to a dispute over extortion from auto-rickshaw drivers at Hatibandha upazila in Lalmonirhat. 

In addition to the death sentences, each convict was given seven years' imprisonment under Section 201 of the Penal Code for concealing evidence, along with a fine of Tk 20,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional one-year imprisonment. 

The verdict was delivered by Judge Adib Ali of the District and Sessions Court on Tuesday afternoon.

The convicted individuals are Shamim Hossain, 37, son of Tashir Uddin from Ramniganj village; Nur Hai, 40, son of Abdus Sobahan from the same area; and Kabir Hossain, 28, son of late Nazir Hossain. Shamim and Kabir were present in court during the verdict, while Nur Hai was absent. The court also acquitted six other defendants in the case.

According to the case file and court sources, on July 10, 2020, Shamim Hossain called the victim, Ekramul Haque, from his home in Ramniganj to Doyani intersection area of Borokhata union under the pretext of a meeting. Ekramul went missing that day and a week later, police discovered his buried body near a paddy field by the Saniyazan River. 

The victim's wife, Monira Yasmin, filed a murder case with Hatibandha Police Station, naming Shamim, Nur Hai, and Sabuj as suspects, along with four or five unidentified individuals. The case alleged that the murder stemmed from a dispute over extortion from auto-rickshaw drivers.

In April 2021, following an investigation, police filed charges against nine individuals. After lengthy proceedings, the court on Tuesday acquitted Sabuj and five others, sentencing Shamim, Nur Hai, and Kabir to death.

Public prosecutor Advocate Akmal Hossain expressed satisfaction with the verdict, stating, "Justice has been served," and noted that the victims' family also expressed relief and contentment with the outcome.