A Dhaka court has sentenced two young men to death for the brutal murder of a college student in the capital’s Khilkhet area, bringing to a close a case that has drawn widespread public attention.
On Sunday, 22 February 2026, Judge Md Sabbir Fayez of the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s Court delivered the verdict in the murder case of 22-year-old Ikram Hossain Molla, a student of Tejgaon College. In addition to the death penalty, the court imposed seven years’ rigorous imprisonment on each convict for attempting to conceal the body, along with a fine of Tk 50,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in a further three months’ simple imprisonment.
The convicted individuals are Md Siddiq (23) and Md Shanto Mia (22). The court’s bench assistant, Md Riaz Hossain, confirmed the details of the judgment. In his observations, the judge stated that a thorough examination of witness testimonies, forensic evidence, material exhibits and the post-mortem report established the charges beyond reasonable doubt. He described the killing as premeditated and exceptionally brutal, emphasising that exemplary punishment was necessary to deter similar crimes and uphold public confidence in the justice system.
Details of the Crime
According to the case records, on the night of 4 May 2023, the victim was lured from his home under the pretext of settling a financial debt. The two accused, described as acquaintances of Ikram, took him to a sandbank area between Patira and Dumni under Khilkhet Police Station, near the Bashundhara embankment zone. There, he was attacked with a hammer and other blunt instruments before his throat was slit with an anti-cutter blade.
In an apparent attempt to destroy evidence, the assailants disposed of the body in a nearby water-filled ditch and concealed it beneath water hyacinths. Police recovered the body on 6 May 2023. The autopsy confirmed death due to sharp-force injuries to the throat. Investigators later identified a financial dispute as the primary motive behind the murder.
Legal Proceedings
The victim’s father, Md Kabir Hossain Molla, filed a murder case with Khilkhet Police Station shortly after the incident. Following investigation, a charge sheet was submitted on 26 November 2023. Formal charges were framed on 29 February 2024, and the trial proceeded with testimony from 17 witnesses, including the investigating officer, the forensic pathologist, police personnel involved in the recovery, and local residents.
Below is a summary of the key milestones in the case:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Murder committed | 4 May 2023 |
| Body recovered | 6 May 2023 |
| Charge sheet submitted | 26 November 2023 |
| Charges framed | 29 February 2024 |
| Number of witnesses | 17 |
| Verdict delivered | 22 February 2026 |
Legal representatives noted that the convicts have the right to appeal before the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. Members of the victim’s family, present in the courtroom during the pronouncement of the verdict, expressed satisfaction with the outcome and urged swift execution of the sentence in accordance with the law.
Legal analysts observe that capital punishment in cases of planned and gruesome homicide is intended to send a strong deterrent message. At the same time, they stress the need for greater awareness among young people regarding financial disputes and the importance of resolving conflicts through lawful and peaceful means rather than resorting to violence.