Rajan murder verdict: Death sentence for 4 upheld

The High Court has upheld the death sentence awarded to four accused in the 2015 murder of Sylhet boy Samiul Alam Rajan.

The four death row convicts are Qamrul Islam, Zakir Hossain alias Pavel, Saddique Ahmed alias Boro Moyna and Taz Uddin alias Badal.

The HC bench of Justice Zahangir Hossain Selim and Justice Md Zahangir Hossain delivered the verdict after hearing the death referral and appeals filed by the convicts in the case.

The High Court also upheld the seven-year jail term to three other convicts – Muhith, Ali Haider and Shamim Ahmed – in this case.

One-year-imprisonment of two other convicts — Dulal and Ayaz — were also upheld by the HC.

It, however, commuted the life sentence of Nur Ahmed to six-month jail.

In an immediate reaction to the verdict, Rajan’s father has expressed his happiness over it.

Thirteen-year-old Samiul Alam Rajan (13) was beaten to death on July 8, 2015 in Sylhet’s Kumargaon over an alleged theft.

A video of the gruesome incident was uploaded on the internet, which created firestorm.

Within two days of the murder, prime suspect Kamrul Islam fled to Saudi Arabia. He was then extradited back to Bangladesh after the video was investigated.

Case Investigation Officer Suranjit Talukdar filed a chargesheet against 13 suspects on Augtust 16, 2015.

High Court bench of justices Jahangir Hossain and Md Jahangir Hossain also heard the death references.

Deputy Attorney General Jahirul Haque represented the State while Advocate Noor Ahmed stood for the convicts.

A death sentence ordered by a trial court requires the High Court’s clearance, which is referred to as a death reference.

At the order of the chief justice the widely discussed case was given priority and brought before the High Court in November. Simultaneously, the defense filed an appeal against the death sentences.

Four were sentenced to death by the court of the Sylhet Metropolitan Sessions Judge on November 8, 2015. Another suspect was sentenced to life in prison, with five others receiving various jail sentences and fines.

The death row convicts are Kamrul Islam, Moyna Mia, Tajuddin Ahmed Badal and Zakir Hossain Pavel Ahmed.

Nur Mia, who had taken the video and posted it online, was given the life sentence.

Kamrul’s three brothers Ali Haider, Shamim Ahmed and Muhit Alam were sentenced to seven years in prison.

These four have also been fined Tk 10,000 each. Their jail terms will be extended by another two months if they fail to pay the sum.

Dulal Ahmed and Ayaj Ali were sentenced to a year in prison and a fine of Tk 10,000.

Zakir Hossain Pavel and Kamrul’s brother Shamim Ahmed have been at large since the start of the case.

Three others — Firoz Mia, Ajmat Ullah and Ruhul Amin were acquitted of the charges.