ZCZC
BSS-33
HC-APPEAL-MURDER-GAUTAM
HC upholds life term for 5 in journalist Gautam murder case
DHAKA, Jan 30, 2019 (BSS) – The High Court (HC) today upheld life imprisonment for five and acquitted four others in the journalist Gautam Das murder case.
A High Court division bench comprising Justice AKM Abdul Hakim and Justice Fatema Najib came up with the order after hearing the appeals filed by the convicts against the lower court judgement.
The High Court upheld life imprisonment of Asif Imran, Siddikur Rahman Miah, Asad Bin Kadir, Abu Taher Mortuza alias Apollo and Tamjid Hossain Babu. It however, acquitted Asif Imtiaj Bulu, Kamrul Islam Apon, Rajib Hasan Miah and Qazi Murad, who were sentenced to life imprisonment by the lower court.
“The High Court allowed appeals of the four convicts and upheld punishment for the other five. Appeal can be filed against the verdict of acquittal,” deputy attorney general Harun-ur Rashid said.
Gautam Das, then Faridpur bureau chief of daily Samakal, was strangled to death on November 17, 2005, as he published reports on corruption of the convicts.
Dhaka 1st Speedy Trial Tribunal on 2013 passed the verdict in the case, sentencing all nine accused to life imprisonment.
BSS/DA/MHR/KU/1912 HRS