Munshiganj expat murder: Verdict date pushed back to 3 March

A Dhaka tribunal today (24 February) fixed 3 March to deliver the verdict in a case over the killing of an expatriate, Shyamal Bepari, who was allegedly shot and hacked to death at his home in Munshiganj Sadar upazila in 2023.

Judge Shyam Sundar Roy of Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-3 set the date, according to state lawyer Md Billal Hossain.

He said the verdict had been scheduled for today, but as it was not ready, the court deferred it to 3 March.

The accused are Md Shahadat Bepari, Md Ibrahim Bepari, Md Monir Chowkidar, Md Hayatul Islam Chowkidar, Md Jahangir Bepari, Md Habib Bepari, Md Ashraful Khan, Md Humayun Dewan, Md Emdad Halnar alias Imran, Md Ayub Khan and Md Liton Bepari.

According to the case statement, on 14 June 2023, Shyamal Bepari, 38, was sleeping alone at his house in Purbo Rakhi Sakin under Munshiganj Police Station.

At around 1am, the accused allegedly called him to open the door. When he did so, they entered the house and, due to prior enmity, shot him in the hands, both legs and head. They also hacked him with sharp weapons to ensure his death.

Hearing gunshots, locals approached the house, but the accused allegedly fled while firing blank shots and detonating cocktails.

The victim's brother, Md Ibrahim Bepari, 36, filed the murder case with Munshiganj Police Station.

After investigation, Sub-Inspector Lipon Sarkar of Munshiganj Sadar Police Station submitted a charge sheet against 11 people on 17 February 2024.

On 14 July 2025, the court framed charges against the 11 accused and began the trial.

After hearing arguments from both sides on 16 February, the court fixed today for the verdict. During the trial, testimonies of 27 out of 33 witnesses were recorded.

Another accused, Mohiuddin Bepari, is a minor. A separate case against him was sent to the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal in Munshiganj district.