A Dhaka court on Monday sentenced six individuals, including a local Awami League leader, to life imprisonment for the murder of Jubo Dal leader Masud Rana in Narail five years ago.
Judge Md Rafiqul Islam of the Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 delivered the verdict.
The convicts are Awami League union unit general secretary Kajol Molla, Setu Molla, Sirajul Islam alias Shipul Molla, Litu Molla, Linku Sheikh and Topu Khan alias Hachib Molla. They were each fined Tk 50,000, in default will serve an additional six months in jail.
Seven others—Tayyebur Gazi, Humayun Molla, Limon Molla, Hridoy Khan, Tony Molla, Sohag Molla and Hasmat Molla—were sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment and fined Tk 5,000 each, with one more month to serve upon default.
Four accused—Nazrul Molla, Robi Molla, Abuzar Molla and Samrat Molla—were sentenced to one year in prison and fined Tk 200 each, with an additional seven days’ imprisonment in case of non-payment.
Of the 36 accused, 19 were acquitted due to lack of evidence, according to public prosecutor Abdur Rashid Molla.
According to case documents, Masud Rana, then office secretary of Jubo Dal’s Kalia upazila unit, was killed on August 5, 2020 in Dewadanga village of Purulia union over previous enmity, including disputes centring on establishing supremacy and illegal sand extraction from the Nabaganga River. Kajol Molla and his associates allegedly shot Rana dead, leaving several others injured.
The following day, Rana’s younger brother Mamun Sheikh filed a case with Kalia Police Station, naming 36 individuals. After investigation, Detective Branch sub-inspector Milton Kumar Debdas submitted a charge sheet against 38 people.
The case was later transferred from Narail to the Speedy Trial Tribunal in Dhaka following a petition by the plaintiff. The tribunal heard testimony from 40 witnesses before handing down the verdict.