KHULNA, Jan 18, 2021(BSS) – A Khulna court here today sentenced five persons to life term imprisonment for killing daily Janmobhumi editor Humayun Kabir Balu .
The court also fined five convicts TK 10,000 each.
The convicts are Nazu alias Nazrul Islam, Rimon alias Asaduzzaman, Zahid Hossain alias Sabuz, Sayed Iqbal Hossain Swadhin and Masum alias Zahangir.
Of them, Masum remained absconding shortly after the murder .
All the convicts belong to the members of outlawed party (Purba Banglar Communist Party-ML-Janajuddha)
Judge of ‘Jananirapatta Bighnakari Aporadh Damon Tribunal Md Saifuzzaman Hiro pronounced the verdict in jam packed court in presence of the four convicts .
According to Public Prosecutor (PP) Arif Mahmud Liton, Humayun Kabir Balu, former president of Khulna Press Club and Ekushey Padak awarded noted journalists was bombed to death in front of his office-cum-residence at Dainik Janmobhumi at City’s Islampur Road area on June 27, 2004.
S M Zahid Hossain, President of Khulna Press Club and also younger brother of Balu said two bombs were hurled on him while his brother Balu was returned to his residence from his paternal house at Iqbal Nagar Mosque Road in the city.
Maruf Ahmed sub inspector of Khulna police station filed two cases with the Police Station.
Later, Police submitted the charge sheet of murder case after massive investigation .
On February 13, 2008, the then Judge Abdus Salam Sikder of Speedy Trial tribunal announced the verdict of murder case acquitted all seven criminals.
On April 15, 2009, PP Enamul Haque submitted a petition to the court seeking additional investigation on explosive case.
On December 31, 2015, Assistant Superintendent of Police of CID Md Shahadat Hossain submitted supplementary charge sheet against five criminals after court shifted the case to CID.
During the trial, outlawed party leaders Shoeb, Sumon, Dada Tapan, Altaf alias BDR Altaf were killed in ‘shootout’ by the law enforcing agencies.