A Naogaon court has sentenced five men to life imprisonment for the 2019 murder of Bhajan Debnath Sajal, a local auto-rickshaw driver. 

Besides, each convict has been fined Tk 5,000, with a further six months of rigorous imprisonment in default of payment.

Judge Md Kaysarul Islam of Naogaon’s Fourth Additional District and Sessions Court and Special Tribunal-5 handed down the verdict at 12 pm on Wednesday (August 27). 

Four of the convicts were present in court at the time of sentencing; one remains absconding.

According to Additional Public Prosecutor Monsur Ali, who confirmed the verdict, the convicted individuals are: Jewel Zaher Ali (fugitive), son of Shukur Ali of Mandolpara in Naogaon Sadar’s Arji-Naogaon area; Suruj Mia, son of Hasan Mia of Paba Mosque area; Saiful Islam, son of Bedarul Islam; and Abdur Rashid, son of the late Shahjahan of Khanpur in Dupchanchia upazila of Bogura.

A fifth accused, Abul Aziz, son of Altaf Hossain from Naogaon Sadar’s New Sahapur area, was acquitted due to lack of evidence.

According to case details, Bhajan Debnath Sajal left his home around 6pm on November 16, 2019, to operate his auto-rickshaw as part of his daily routine. He never returned. Family members searched extensively but failed to locate him. His body was discovered the following morning (November 17) in a muddy waterbody covered with water hyacinths beside a paved road in the Hasaigari Gota Bill area of Naogaon Sadar.

His father, Bhupendranath Debnath, later filed a murder case with Naogaon Sadar Police Station. After a lengthy trial involving testimony from 13 witnesses, the court reached its verdict.

State prosecutor Monsur Ali expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the case.

SMS