The High Court has upheld the death penalty for a man convicted of murdering his wife in Sirajganj 25 years ago. However, the court acquitted four other individuals who had also been sentenced to death in the same case.
On Thursday a High Court bench comprising Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty and Justice KM Rasheduzzaman Raja delivered the verdict after partially granting the death reference.
The convict has been identified as Subir Kumar Roy, son of Satish Chandra Roy and owner of Shila Jewellers on Mujib Road in Sirajganj town. The four individuals acquitted by the court are Sushil Kumar Roy, Sunil Kumar Roy, Moni Roy, and Manoranjan Kumar Roy.
As the accused are currently absconding, state-appointed lawyer Hafizur Rahman Khan conducted the case on their behalf. Deputy Attorney General Syed Ejaz Kabir represented the state.
According to the case proceedings, Subir Kumar Roy married Sumi Rani, daughter of Gopinath Biswas from Sahapara in Tangail town, in 1999. Out of a 5-lakh taka dowry demand, 2.5 lakh taka was paid at the time of the wedding. Subir and his family members allegedly began torturing Sumi for the remaining balance.
Sumi was murdered at her husband’s home on the evening of 12 January 2001. Following the death, Manoranjan filed a General Diary (GD) with the police station, claiming it was a suicide. However, the autopsy report later confirmed the death as a murder. Subsequently, Sumi’s father filed a case against Subir and his family members under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act.
Previously, on 22 January 2019, the Sirajganj Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-1 had sentenced five defendants, including Subir, to death. The matter then moved to the High Court as a death reference for the approval of the sentences. The hearing before this special High Court bench commenced on 15 June.
