BNP leader murder in Narail: 6 including Awami League leader get life term, 21 acquitted
A Dhaka tribunal has sentenced six people, including a local Awami League leader, to life imprisonment in the murder case of Office Secretary of Narail's Kalia upazila unit of BNP, Masud Rana.
Eleven others were awarded varying terms of imprisonment, while 21 accused were acquitted.
The verdict was delivered today (25 August) afternoon by Judge Md Rafiqul Islam of Dhaka's Speedy Trial Tribunal-1, confirmed State prosecutor Dalia Parveen.
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Those sentenced to life are: Kajal Molla (general secretary of a union unit of Awami League), Setu Molla, Linku Sheikh, Sirajul Islam alias Shipul Molla, Lithu Molla, and Tapu Khan alias Hashib Khan. In addition to life imprisonment, each was fined Tk50,000, with six months of rigorous imprisonment in default.
Among the 11 convicted with shorter terms, Tayebur Gazi, Humayun Molla, Limon Molla, Hridoy Khan, Tony Molla, Sohag Molla, and Hasmot Molla were sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined Tk5,000 each, with an additional one month in prison if they fail to pay. The remaining four—Nazrul Molla, Robi Molla, Abuzar Molla, and Samraj Molla—received one year in prison and a fine of Tk200, or seven days in default.
According to the case statement, on 5 August 2020, Masud Rana was ambushed and attacked in Kalia by the accused, who were armed with firearms, machetes, rods, hammers, bamboo sticks, and other lethal weapons. He sustained serious injuries and died on the way to the hospital. His younger brother, Mamun Sheikh, later filed a murder case at Kalia Police Station.
On 12 December 2020, the investigation officer submitted a chargesheet against 38 individuals. The following year, on 1 September, the court took cognizance of the charges and ordered trial to begin.
During the proceedings, testimony was heard from 40 out of 47 listed witnesses.
