One to die, 16 others get 37 years' RI

Bari Matbar was killed at his village home at Jazira in Shariatpur district on November 30, 2003.

Judge AR Masud of the Speedy Trial Tribunal-4 handed down the sentence in presence of the convicts at a packed courtroom.

The convict who got death sentence was Samad Matbar while Abdul Latif Mechher Master, Eskendar Matbar, Abu Salek Matbar, Shahabuddin Matbar, Babu Matbar,

Jabbar Matbar, Khalil Matbar, Golam Ali Howlader, Nuru Sardar, Mate Sardar, Alamgir Sardar, Nur Mohammad Sardar, Nurul Islam Sardar, Elias Matbar, Zahid Matbar and Sohrab Matbar were given 37 years' RI in jail.

Of them, Samad and 14 others were in jail custody while Zahid and Sohrab have been absconding since the incident.

The convict with death can appeal to the High Court against the verdict within 30 days from day of receipt of the judgement copy and the punishment of the fugitives will be effective from day of their arrest or surrender, the judge said.

Earlier, the prosecution and the defence completed their arguments and the court recorded statements of 26 prosecution witnesses.

According to the prosecution, over a previous enmity, a gang of miscreants led by Samad Matbar equipped with sharp weapons attacked the house of Jasim Uddin Matbar to kill his grandfather former Union Parishad Chairman Anwar Ali Miah and his uncle Bari Matbar, an expatriate of Italy at about 6:00am on November 30, 2003. Being directed by Mechher Master, the gang exploded bombs indiscriminately that left Bari Matbar dead and injured 14 others.

Later, victim's nephew Jasim filed a murder case with Jazira Police Station against Samad, Mechher Master and 43 others the next day. The investigation officer pressed charges against Samad, Mechher and 53 others on March 11, 2004.

The complainant Jasim Uddin Matbar was present in the court and expressed his satisfaction over the verdict.