The New Nation - Internet Edition

Rajshahi Correspondent

The speedy trial tribunal yesterday sentenced four persons including Dr. Mia Mohammad Mohiuddin, a teacher of the Rajshahi University, to death on charge of murdering Prof. Sheikh Taher Ahmed, a teacher of the same university.

The three other persons condemned to death are, Jahangir, caretaker of the quarter of Prof.Taher, Salam, Jahangir's brother and relative Nazmul.

All the four convicted persons were in the dock when judge ATM Mezbah Doula pronounced the judgement in a crowded courtroom.

The tribunal delivered the judgement after hearing deposition of 49 witnesses.

The judge acquitted Mahbubul Alam Salehi,former president of the RU unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir and Azimuddin Munshi, father of convicted Jahangir of murder charges.

According to prosecution, Prof. Sheikh Taher Ahmed (59), a senior professor of Geology and Mining Department of the university, was kidnapped and killed on February 1, 2006,the day he returned to Rajshahi from Dhaka. His body was dumped into a septic tank behind his RU campus residence. Later the police recovered the body on February 3.

Taher's son filed a murder case with the police on February 3. On March 19,2007, the police submitted charge sheet accusing six persons including Dr.Mohiuddin and Salehi.

Salehi surrendered to the court in April, 2007. Later Prof. Mohiuddin and Salehi were freed on bail from the High Court.

The prosecution said dr. Mohiuddin orchestrated the murder plot in apprehension of damage to his career by Prof. Taher who detected 'plagiarism' and ' piracy' in 10 out of total 11 research papers submitted by him with his promotion petition.

" Mohiuddin then hired Salehi for murdering Taher promising him (Salehi) good results in Masters, Mphil and PhD and also appointment as teacher of the university", according to charge.

Condemned Mohiuddin is a bother-in- law of former Post and Telecommunication Minister Barrister Aminul Haque who is now absconding.

Additional police forces were deployed around the court since morning yesterday as a precautionary measure.

After the judgement, Jammat-Shibir activists led by Rjashahi city Jamaat President Atsaur Rahman brought a silent procession at the court premises.. They were found very jubilant and joyous.

Salehi was showing victory mark raising his hands.

Prof.Mohiuddin, however, looked pale and gloomy from the beginning and he broke down in tears after the judgement.