5 sentenced to death in Sylhet for killing CNG driver in 2014

A Sylhet court has sentenced five individuals to death in absentia for their involvement in the murder of CNG auto-rickshaw driver Hazrat Ali, 30, in 2014 in Sylhet's Beanibazar.

Sylhet's Additional District and Sessions Judge (4th court) Shyla Sharmin delivered the verdict today (3 October), the plaintiff's lawyer, Zaida Begum told The Business Standard. "All the convicted individuals are currently absconding."

Additionally, each convict was also fined Tk15,000.

The convicts are Shahidul Islam, son of Rawshan Ali; Sumon Ahmed, son of Badsha Mia; Shipu Mia, son of Fazil Bari; Zakaria Munnu, son of Haji Musuk Mia; and Md Ruhul Amin, son of Harmuz Ali. All are from Sunamganj.

"12 witnesses testified in the case. When Hazrat Ali was stabbed, locals rescued him. At that time, he mentioned the names of those involved in the incident. The court, after considering the arguments, delivered the verdict under sections 302/34," said Zaida Begum.

According to the case document, on 17 August 2014, the convicted individuals took Hazrat Ali from Sylhet to Beanibazar. Later around 11pm, they stabbed him and fled with the CNG.

The following day, the victim's brother, Shukkur Ali, filed a case with Beanibazar Police Station.

Police said he sustained 17 wounds, including in his abdomen, and succumbed to excessive bleeding.

Expressing satisfaction with the court's verdict, Shukkur Ali, the victim's brother, told TBS, "We are happy to finally get justice after ten long years. However, the accused are still absconding. We demand that they be arrested immediately and hanged."