6 sentenced to life for killing trader in Pirojpur

A Pirojpur court has sentenced six people to life imprisonment for the murder of a trader in 2014, concluding a legal battle that spanned more than a decade.

Pirojpur District and Sessions Judge Md Majibur Rahman delivered the verdict on Sunday, also imposing a fine of Tk 10,000 on each of the convicts. In default, they will face an additional six months of rigorous imprisonment.

The six convicted individuals are: Ezaz Sharif (27), Akkas Sharif (52), Shafayet Sharif (52), Shefali Begum (45), Happy Begum (28), and Lima Begum (20). All are residents of Sadar upazila in Pirojpur district.

In the same case, another accused, Emran (28), was sentenced to two years in prison and fined Tk 2,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional three months of imprisonment.

According to the prosecution, the victim, Abul Kalam Sharif (55), a trader from the Jhanjhania area of Sadar upazila, was fatally stabbed on July 10, 2014, due to longstanding enmity with the convicted individuals.

The following day, the victim’s brother, Hakim Sharif, filed a murder case with Sadar Police Station. Police later pressed charges against eight suspects on May 4, 2015.

Following a lengthy trial that included examination of records and witness testimonies, the court acquitted one of the accused due to insufficient evidence.