Death sentence of 9 accused in Rajshahi

Rajshahi's speedy trial tribunal has ordered the death penalty to 9 accused for the murder of Pabna Municipality Awami League executive committee member and businessman Sider Malitha. At the same time, five other accused have been sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for life. And seven accused have been acquitted in this case as the charges were not proved.

Judge Mahiduzzaman of the Rajshahi Speedy Trial Tribunal announced the verdict on Tuesday (August 20), said Entazul Haque Babu, the lawyer for the state side of the court. The accused were not taken from the jail to the court as the police were not ready to provide security. They were sentenced virtually by keeping them in jail.

The accused 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, Alif Malitha, Arafat Hossain Isti, Md. Ranju and Md. johnny

Received life imprisonment – Dulal Malitha, Haider Malitha, Sanju Malitha, Md. Raju and Belal Hossain are brilliant. The houses of all the accused are in Char Pratappur Kablipara village of Sadar Upazila of Pabna.

State counsel Entazul said that most of the sentenced accused are relatives of Alauddin Malitha, who was sentenced to death. The rest are hired killers. About the murder victim Saidar Malitha, Alauddin's cousin. They had a business relationship. Saidar used to get 30 lakh rupees from Alauddin. Later, when a dispute arose between them over this money, Sider was planned to be killed.

Regarding the case, Entazul said that on September 9, 2022, Saidar was having tea at Najur intersection of Char Bangabaria, 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.

Stating that all the accused in the case are in jail, the lawyer of the state, Entazul, said that the seven persons who were acquitted by the court will be released soon as the charges were not proved. He also said that the family members of the plaintiff and the defendants were present in the court when the verdict was announced.

Bangladesh /KH