The Special Response Battalion (SRB) arrested Joynal Sardar, 55, a life-term convict and key associate of Khulna’s listed criminal Ershad Sikdar, after 27 years in hiding.
Joynal was captured in Sonadanga area of Khulna city at 10:50pm on Saturday during a joint drive carried out by SRB-6 and SRB-8, based on information technology and intelligence inputs.
He is the son of the late Ahammad Ali Sardar of Bonkura village under Gournadi Thana in Barishal.
According to SRB sources, the murder charges brought against Joynal in a case filed at Rupsha Thana in Khulna district in 1999 were proven beyond reasonable doubt.
Following the hearing, the court sentenced him to life in rigorous imprisonment alongside a fine of Tk10,000, in default of which he must serve an additional year of simple imprisonment for murder.
In addition, the court separately awarded him five years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Tk5,000, in default of which he faces six months of simple imprisonment, for concealing the victim’s body.
Following the announcement of the court verdict, Joynal had been evading capture while living in disguise for 27 years.
SRB noted that the accused has been handed over to Sonadanga Model Thana for further legal proceedings.
