DHAKA, 11 November 2004 — A court in Dhaka yesterday sentenced two to death and handed down life sentence to three others in the Keraniganj double murder case. The court acquitted 18 others including Reaz Uddin Ahmed Monir, brother of ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) deputy Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintoo.

Chandu alias Chan Mia, 28, and Talim alias Tailla (absconding) were awarded death penalty.

Three of those given life term — Mahbub, Zahidul Islam and Motaleb — were also fined 10,000 taka each. In default, they would suffer one-year rigorous imprisonment. Judge A.R. Masud of the Speedy Trial Tribunal-4 pronounced the verdict at 11-30 a.m.

Earlier, the prosecution and the defense completed their arguments and the court recorded statements of 23 prosecution witnesses.

Amir Abdullah Shakil, 26, secretary of the Zinjira Market Association, and Sentu, 30, were shot dead on Feb. 16, 2002.

Shakil’s brother Amir Hamza filed a murder case with Keraniganj police station the same day accusing Monir and nine others.

The investigation officer brought charges against Monir and 22 others on Nov. 20, 2002. The court framed charges against Monir and 22 others on July 13 last year. Monir and 13 others were on bail.