Staff Reporter:

A court in Sirajganj has sentenced four people to life term imprisonment for the murder of van driver Shajahan Ali in Kazipur upazila and burying his body in the ground.

The court also fined each of the four convicts Tk 20,000, with an additional six months of rigorous imprisonment in default of payment.

Besides, the court sentenced the victim’s wife, Shirina Khatun, her father Siraj Ali and mother Banesa Begum to five years’ imprisonment each for their alleged involvement in the murder. They were also fined Tk 10,000 each, with four months of rigorous imprisonment in default.

The four convicts sentenced to life imprisonment are Shiblu, son of Meccher Member, Lal Mia, son of Farid Sheikh, Suruj Ali, son of Oheze Ali, and Harun, son of Jasim Sheikh, all residents of Kumariabari village in Kazipur upazila.

Judge Nazrul Islam of the Additional District and Sessions Judge-III Court in Sirajganj pronounced the verdict at around noon on Thursday.

Additional Public Prosecutor Enamul Karim Shaheen said the court delivered the verdict after a 15-year-long legal process, following examination of witnesses and other evidence.

“Of the eight accused in the case, four have been sentenced to life imprisonment, while the victim’s wife, father-in-law and mother-in-law have each been sentenced to five years in prison,” he said.

The court, however, acquitted Asma Khatun of all charges.

According to the charge sheet, Shajahan Ali, son of Arfan Ali of Bongram village in Sarishabari upazila of Jamalpur, married Shirina Khatun, daughter of Siraj Ali of Kumariabari village in Kazipur, in 2006.

About six months after the marriage, Shirina was brought back to her parental home from her husband’s house. When members of Shajahan’s family went to bring her back about 20 days later, her parents allegedly prevented her from returning to her husband’s home at the instigation of Harun, Shiblu, Suruj and Lal Mia.

The incident reportedly led to a family dispute between Shajahan and his wife.

A few days later, Shajahan went to his in-laws’ house to bring his wife back. At the request of his father-in-law and mother-in-law, however, he stayed there and began earning a living by driving a van.

While Shajahan was living at his in-laws’ house, Harun and Shiblu allegedly began visiting the house frequently. When Shajahan reportedly objected to their frequent visits, the accused allegedly assaulted him and threatened to kill him.

On November 11, 2009, Shajahan left his home and did not return.

The following day, November 12, police recovered his body from beneath the soil in the courtyard of his in-laws’ house. The charge sheet alleged that Shajahan had been killed and his body buried there.

Following the recovery of the body, Shajahan’s father, Arfan Ali, filed a murder case.

After completing the investigation, police submitted a charge sheet against eight people before the court on January 4, 2011.

After a prolonged legal process lasting 15 years, the court finally delivered its verdict in the case on Thursday.