DHAKA: A special court in Dhaka on Tuesday awarded death penalty to 152 jawans for their involvement in 2009 mutiny in border force.

Besides, the court awarded life term in jail to 160 members under section 302 of the penal code and 10 years more in jail under section 382 of penal code.

The court also awarded three to 17 years imprisonment to 263 jawans for their involvement with the incident while 271 were acquitted from the charge as their involvement was not proved.

Four accused died during the trial.

Of convicts, former BNP lawmaker Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu and local ward Awami League leader Torab Ali were sentenced to life imprisonment and fined Tk 5-lakh, in default, to serve five more years in the jail.

Third Additional Metropolitan Session Judge Dr M Akhtaruzzaman passed the verdicts at the Bakshibazar Government Alia Madrasa (a makeshift court room) of Old Dhaka.

Judge Dr M Akhtaruzzaman, in the verdict, also said that the verdict would be executed if it is upheld by the High Court.

Before reading out the verdict, Judge Dr M Akhtaruzzaman added that the convicted can appeal against the verdict to the appellate Division of the High Court as this is not the final sentence.

The verdict also said that lockup period will be deducted from the period of life sentence and other different terms of imprisonment.

This verdict ended one of the tragic killings in the history of Bangladesh.
Abdul Kahar Akhand, senior special superintendent of CID, submitted the charge sheet of the killings case on July 12, 2010 and in the case under the Explosives Act on July 27.

Among those standing trial are deputy assistant director (DAD) Tauhidul Alam, DAD Nasir, DAD Habib, DAD Jalil, BNP leader Nasir Uddin Pintu and local Awami League leader Torab Ali.

Originally, charge-sheet was submitted against 850 accused in the killing case. Of them, 21 are on the run while seven have died.

A total of 74 people, including 57 army officers in command of the border-security force, were killed in the bloody mutiny at Pilkhana on February 25-26, 2009. The mutiny had also triggered revolt in other garrisons across the country.

Lalbagh police station OC Nabajyoti Khisa filed the cases first with Lalbagh police station and then with New Market police station.

BDST: 1502 HRS, NOV 05, 2013
SR/RS/RK eic@banglanews24.com