TDS Desk:

A Rajshahi court Tuesday sentenced 9 people to death and five others to life imprisonment for killing Awami League leader Saidar Malitha in Pabna. The court also acquitted 7 people in the same case.

Judge Mahiduzzaman of the Rajshahi Speedy Trial Tribunal announced this verdict on Tuesday (August 20) at noon.

The death sentence awardees are former chairman of Hemayetpur Union Parishad and vice president of Sadar Upazila Awami League Alauddin Malitha, Swapan Malitha, Ripon Khan, Ashiq Malitha, Rakib Malitha, Yasin Arafat Isti, Ranju Malitha, Johnny Malitha and Alif Malitha. All of them are from Pabna district.

The life sentence awardees are Dulal Malitha, Ruju Malitha, Ayanal Malitha, Sanju Malitha and Belal Hossain Ujjal.

Rajshahi speedy trial tribunal court lawyer Entazul Haque Babu confirmed this information.

He said, Saidar Malitha and Alauddin Malitha are two brothers. They quarrel with each other over money. Later the elder brother gave a slap to the younger brother. Following this dispute, the younger brother plans to kill him. On September 9, 2022, at around 1 pm, Saidar Malitha was having tea at Najur intersection of Char Bangabaria, Hemayetpur Union of Pabna Sadar Upazila. At that time 6-7 terrorists cordoned him and shot and hacked him to death. The deceased Saidar Malitha is the son of Haran Malitha of Char Pratappur Kablipara of Hemayetpur. He was an active member of the Pabna Municipal Awami League.

Later, a case was filed in that incident. The court announced the verdict in that case on Tuesday. The accused were present in the court when the verdict was announced.