Two Brothers Sentenced to Death Over Schoolboy Murder

A court in Mymensingh has sentenced two brothers to death for the brutal murder of 15-year-old secondary school student Saikat Hasan Akash, whose killing in 2021 shocked the local community. The court found that the teenager was murdered after the family of a girl refused to accept their romantic relationship.

In addition to imposing the death penalty, the court fined each of the two convicted brothers Tk 50,000. Two other members of the same family—their father and uncle—were each sentenced to seven years’ rigorous imprisonment. They were also fined Tk 20,000 each, with an additional six months’ simple imprisonment in default of payment.

The verdict was delivered on Thursday by Additional District and Sessions Judge (Acting) Md Shamsuddin in Mymensingh, bringing an end to a trial that lasted for several years.

The two men sentenced to death are Nazmul Haque, 26, and his brother Enamul Haque, both residents of Bhugli Nayapara village under Mymensingh Sadar Upazila. Their father, Ziaul Haque, 57, and uncle, Julhas Uddin, 37, received the seven-year prison terms after the court found them guilty of involvement in the crime.

Nazmul Haque, Ziaul Haque and Julhas Uddin were present in court when the judgment was pronounced. Enamul Haque, however, remains absconding and was not present during the hearing.

The prosecution was conducted by Additional Public Prosecutor Md Abu Hanif Khan, while the defence was represented by advocate Md Rafiqul Islam Khan.

According to court records, Akash was a Class Ten student at Astadhar High School in Mymensingh Sadar. He had developed a romantic relationship with the daughter of Ziaul Haque, a local Union Parishad member. After the relationship became known, the girl’s family strongly opposed it and, according to the prosecution, eventually decided to eliminate the teenager.

The court heard that on the night of 19 May 2021, the girl was allegedly used to lure Akash out of his home. He was then taken to a secluded location, where his throat was slit and he was killed. In an apparent attempt to conceal the crime, the perpetrators buried his body in the ground.

When Akash failed to return home, his family launched an extensive search. Two days later, on 21 May, police recovered his buried body during an operation, sending shockwaves through the local community and drawing widespread public attention.

Following the discovery, Akash’s father, Md Akram Hossain, filed a murder case with Mymensingh Kotwali Model Police Station on 22 May 2021, naming 14 people as accused.

After completing the investigation, police submitted a charge sheet against four individuals on 14 January 2022. The case then proceeded through a lengthy judicial process, during which the court examined witness testimony, documentary evidence and legal arguments before reaching its verdict.

Mymensingh Court Inspector P.S.M. Mostachinur Rahman said the three convicted individuals who were present in court had been sent to prison immediately after the judgment. Legal proceedings against Enamul Haque will continue once he is arrested.

The verdict, delivered nearly five years after the killing that drew significant public attention in Mymensingh, was welcomed by Akash’s family, who expressed satisfaction that justice had finally been served after a prolonged legal battle.