KHULNA: A Khulna court has sentenced death penalty to nine people including a Union Parishad chairman for killing Awami League leader Prabhash Roy in Narail last year.

Judge MA Bari Hawladar of Khulna Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal passed the order on Sunday (January 14).

The death-row convicts are- former Bhadrabila UP chairman Md Saidur Rahman alias Shahid, 52, his brother Md Ilias Mina, 56, his son Md Ashiqur Mina alias Ashiq, 22, Md Rasel Mina, 30, son of Mosharraf Mian, Bashar Molla, 30, son of late Hatem Molla, Rabiul Molla, 25, son of Mosharraf Molla, Enayet Molla, 53, son of late Haran Molla of Aterhat area, Yasin Molla, 24, son of Motiur Molla of Poildanga area and Mamun Mina, 28, son of Musa Mina. 

All the convicts were present at court while the verdict was pronounced.

According to case statement, Prabhash Roy worked for Awami League during the Union Parishad (UP) election while the convict Saidur Rahman Mina elected as UP chairman running as an independent candidate. After the election, followers of Saidue carried out an attack at Prabhash’s house. Later Prabhash filed a case against chairman Saidur and others involved. Following the dispute, the convicts hacked Prabhash in a marketplace on February 1 in 2017 and fled the scene assuming he died.

Later, locals rushed critically injured Prabhash to Narail hospital. He died at night while being transferred to Jessore Medical College Hospital. Prabhash’s wife Tutul Rani filed a murder case accusing nine people and seven unidentified others.

BDST: 1405 HRS, JAN 14, 2018
AP