CHAPAINAWABGANJ, March 20, 2024 (BSS) - A court here has sentenced one person to death and four others to life-term imprisonment in a murder case.

Additional District and Session Judge Md. Rabiul Islam handed down the verdict in a packed courtroom yesterday afternoon, also fining the four life term awardees Tk. 50,000 each, in default, they have to suffer six more months in jail.

The death awardee was Rakibul Islam, 37, son of Md. Afjal Hossain of Housepur in Bholahat upazila in the district, court sources said.

The life term convicted persons are Abdus Sabur, 26, son of Md. Afjal Hossain of Housepur, Karimul, 32, son of Ataur Rahman of the same village, Md. Bachchu Mia, 42, son of late Abdul Gaffar of Council More and Md. Erfan Ali, 37, son of Md. Sajjad Hossain of Puraton Haspukur Dhaniapara, all under Bholahat upazila in Chapainawabganj district.

According to the prosecution story, following the transaction of the money of selling cattle, the convicted persons hacked cattle trader Bulu Mia to death with a sharp weapon in a mango orchard of the upazila on July 25, 2017.

On the same day, Bulu Mia's wife Somiza Begum filed a murder case with Bholahat Police Station accusing 10 persons.

Investigating officer (IO) of the case Inspector Md. Mahbub Alam of Detective Branch (DB) submitted the charge sheet against nine persons in the court on February 28, 2018.

After hearing 18 witnesses, the court handed down the punishment yesterday afternoon.

The court also acquitted four persons as the charges against them were not proved, the court sources said.