A court in Mymensingh has sentenced five men to life imprisonment, along with fines, in connection with a murder stemming from a long-standing land dispute in Haluaghat upazila.
The convicts were also ordered to pay a fine of Tk 100,000 each. In default of payment, they will have to serve an additional one year of rigorous imprisonment, the court ruled.
The verdict was delivered on Sunday afternoon by Judge Md. Samsuddin of the Additional District and Sessions Judge Court-1 in Mymensingh. Following the judgment, security was tightened in and around the court premises, and all convicted individuals were sent to prison custody.
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Background of the case
According to court documents and prosecution records, the incident dates back to 14 October 2012 in Mokamia village under Haluaghat upazila. A long-running dispute over agricultural land escalated during the rice harvesting season, particularly over the cutting of paddy and claims of ownership and possession.
The confrontation turned violent when rival groups clashed over the disputed land. During the attack, Habibur Rahman sustained severe injuries and died at the scene.
Following the incident, the victim’s niece, Nuru Nahar, filed a murder case at Haluaghat Police Station on 16 October 2012, naming 25 individuals as accused.
Police completed their investigation and submitted a charge sheet to the court on 7 September 2013. The case subsequently remained pending for years before reaching its conclusion.
During the trial, the court examined testimony from 15 witnesses alongside material evidence and recorded statements before delivering its judgment.
Verdict and sentences
Out of the 25 accused, 20 were acquitted due to lack of sufficient evidence. The remaining five were found guilty of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment, along with financial penalties.
Details of the convicts
| Name | Age | Village | Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shukur Ali | 54 | Mokamia | Life imprisonment + fine |
| Amir Ali | 43 | Mokamia | Life imprisonment + fine |
| Jamir Ali | 41 | Mokamia | Life imprisonment + fine |
| Hatem Ali | 39 | Mokamia | Life imprisonment + fine |
| Harez Ali | 33 | Mokamia | Life imprisonment + fine |
Reactions and aftermath
The court premises saw heightened security measures immediately after the verdict was announced. Convicted individuals were escorted to prison under police supervision.
The prosecution expressed satisfaction with the ruling, stating that justice had finally been served after years of legal proceedings. However, defence lawyers indicated that they plan to appeal the verdict in the higher court.
Locally, reactions were mixed. While some residents viewed the judgment as a long-awaited act of justice in a brutal land-related killing, others questioned the prolonged duration of the legal process, which spanned more than a decade from the filing of the case to its final verdict.
The case has once again highlighted how unresolved land disputes in rural areas can escalate into fatal violence and lead to prolonged judicial battles.