Three to die, 3 get life term for triple murder in Noakhali

NOAKHALI, Aug 16: A court on Sunday sentenced three men to death and three others to life in prison for the deaths of three people in 2016 shooting near the old campus of Noakhali Government College.

Noakhali Special Judge Md Shawkat Ali declared the verdict at about 12:15 pm.

Those sentenced to death are Omar Nasir Saju, 32, Omar Sharif Sultan, 25, both from Begumganj Upazila, and Md Sourav, 27, of Noakhali Municipality.

Firoz Mahmud Bappi, 27, Kudrat Ullah, 65, and Harunur Rashid Babul, 45, all from Begumganj, were sentenced to life in prison. Each was also fined Tk 1 lakh, with an additional year in prison if the fine is not paid.

According to the case, an argument broke out on May 21, 2016, over bathing a dog in a pond near a hostel at the college's old campus. Later that evening, a local arbitration meeting was held.

The accused allegedly attacked the victims at about 7 pm. Saju, Sourav and Sultan allegedly opened fire, seriously injuring Rajib, Wasim and Yasin. Rajib died at Noakhali Sadar Hospital, while Wasim and Yasin died after being taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Rajib’s wife, Kamrun Nahar, filed the murder case with Sudharam Police Station.

PP Md Barut Ullah Rashed said the verdict was delivered in the presence of Bappi, the only accused arrested. The other five defendants remain at large, he said.