9 people hanged for killing A.League leader in Rajshahi

9 people have been ordered to be hanged in the court of Rajshahi for the murder of Saidar Malitha (55), a member of the executive committee of the Pabna Municipal Awami League and a prominent businessman. In addition, the court ordered life imprisonment for 5 more accused. Seven more accused in this case were acquitted as the charges were not proved.

On Tuesday (August 20) at 12 noon Rajshahi Speedy Trial Tribunal Judge Md. Mahiduzzaman announced the verdict.

Rajshahi's speedy trial tribunal lawyer Entazul Haque Babu confirmed these facts.

He said that the accused were not taken from the jail to the court as the police were not ready to provide security. They were kept in jail and connected to the court through virtual media during the pronouncement of the verdict. In this way judgment is given virtually.

The accused in the case are – Pabna Sadar Upazila Awami League vice-president and former chairman of Hemayetpur Union Parishad Alauddin Malitha, his brother Swapan Malitha, Ripon Malitha, Ashiq Malitha, Rakib Malitha, Arafat Hossain Isti, Md. Ranju, Md. Johnny and Alif Malitha. Those sentenced to life imprisonment are – Dulal Malitha, Md. Raju, Haider Malitha, Sanju Malitha and Belal Hossain Ujjal. All the houses of the accused will not be found.

State counsel Entazul Haque Babu said that most of the sentenced accused are close relatives of Alauddin Malitha who was sentenced to death. The rest are hired killers. The murder victim Saidar Malitha and the accused Alauddin Malitha are cousins. Saidar Malitha was a resident of Char Pratappur Kablipara village in Sadar Upazila of Pabna.

He said that there was a business relationship between Saidar Malitha and Alauddin Malitha. Saidar Malitha Alauddin used to get Tk 30 lakhs from Malitha. A dispute arose between them over this money. So a plan was made to kill Saidar. On the afternoon of September 9, 2022, Saidar Malitha was having tea at Najur intersection of Char Bangabaria in Hemayetpur Union of Pabna Sadar Upazila. At this time he was shot. Saida ran towards the nearby bamboo with a bullet in his chest and fell down. From there, he was taken to Nazur intersection and stabbed 12 times in different parts of his body. He died on the spot. The attackers then left the body behind. A case was later filed by the family. After the investigation, the police filed a charge sheet against 21 people.

Lawyer Entazul Haque Babu said that all the accused in the case are in jail. The seven persons who were acquitted by the court as the charges were not proved will be released soon.