PABNA, Oct 31, 2022 (BSS)- A court here today sentenced 21 persons to life imprisonment for killing a farmer in Sadar upazila of the district in 1998.

Pabna Additional District and Sessions Judge Court-2 Judge Israt Jahan Munni pronounced the verdict this afternoon.

The court also fined them Taka 10,000 each, in default, they will have to suffer more three months imprisonment.

The accused are - Shahjahan Mollah, son of Sobahan Mollah of Bhaduridangi village of Pabna Sadar Upazila, Minhaj, son of Abdul Bashed Sheikh, Nabi Mollah, Sultan Mahmud and Moktar Molla, sons of Shaker Mollah, Bashed Sheikh, son of late Choba Sheikh, Ayub Khan, son of Inai Khan, Aslam, son of Amir Mollah, Latif Mollah, son of Gafur Mollah, Chobai Mollah, son of Rastam Mollah, Kalam, son of Bahai Pramanik, Mahir Mollah, son of Akul Mollah, Mohammad Ali Mollah and Rezaul Mollah, sons of Hachen Mollah, Babu Mollah, son of Gafur Mollah, Mokched Mollah and Barek Mollah, sons of Karim Mollah of Char Bhabanipur village of Sujanagar upazila, Karim Molla, son of late Bashir Molla, Khokon, son of Abdul Kuddush of Bhavanipur Kachari Math Para, Rafiq, son of Habibar of Manikdiar village and Bablu Uddin, son of Moslem Uddin of Kolchuri village of Sadar Upazila.

Of the convicts, Barek, Minhaj, Babul, Based Sheikh, Latif Mollah, Chobai are absconding. An arrest warrant has been issued against them.

According to the case statement, the accused cordoned off farmer Salam while he was working at his paddy field in November 7 in 1998 over previous enmity. As Salam tried to flee, they shot and hacked Salam, leaving him dead on the spot.

Later, Salam's brother Jabbar filed a case accusing 24 persons.

The investigating officer in the case submitted a charge-sheet against 21 people. Three accused passed away during the case.

After examining the record and witnesses, the court found them guilty.

Besides, the same court sentenced Suntan Mahmud to 10 years and Nabi Mollah to 7 years jail in an arms case.

Additional Public Prosecutor Advocate Yusuf Ali confirmed the matter.