The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our Correspondent, Barisal

A trial court in Barisal on September 29 last afternoon awarded 17 accused to life term imprisonment and fined each Tk.25 thousand or ordered to suffer more one years imprisonment in default.

The convicted 17 accused were Kabir Bepari,Poltu Bepari,Nuru Bepari, Bellal Sardar,Kalam Saradar,Saidul Howladar,Faruk Bepari, Atahar Bepari,Sabuj Bepari, Sohel Bepari,Anis Bepari, Mahtab Bepari,Yunus Matubbar, Bishai Kha,Swapan Kha,Harun and Tota Mia.

Md. Shahidullah, district and session judge of Barisal, handed down this verdict in presence of the first six accused after examining 13 out of 23 witnesses and other evidences in a crowded court room.

After announcing the verdict the handcuffed convicts present in the court room physically assaulted Md. Selim, a witness of the case and brother of the complainant in presence of police.

Prosecution story in brief was Shahbuddin Bepari, a trawler owner and driver of Char Bahadurpur village under Muladi upazila of Barisal district was an informer of police and through his initiatives police able to arrest Fakhrul Alam, a notorious terror and fugitive convicted to double life term.

Later the accused and associates of Fakhrul ambushed Shahabuddin and chopped him to death on his way to home from the trawler ghat at about 4:00 pm November 22, 2005.

Ayesha Khatun, wife of the victim, lodged a murder case against the accused with Muladi police station on the same day.

Sub Inspector Aziz Lascar after investigation submittedcharge sheet against the accused on April 10, 2006.