Ahsanullah Master killing: Death sentences for six upheld

The High Court on Wednesday upheld death sentences of a Juba Dal leader and five others of the 22 condemned convicts of killing Awami League lawmaker Ahsanullah Master at Tongi in Gazipur on May 7, 2004.
The bench of Justice Obaidul Hassan and Justice Krishna Debnath also commuted death sentences of seven convicts to imprisonment for life term.
Seven of the condemned convicts were acquitted of the charges while the court quashed the death sentences of the rest two condemned convicts as they died during the hearing in the appeal against their sentences.
Of six other convicts who were sentenced for lifer term imprisonment, the High Court upheld the sentences of two and acquitted the rest four.
The bench asked the prison authorities to release the 11 people acquitted of the charges if they were not wanted in any other case.
The court upheld the death sentences of former Juba Dal leader Nurul Islam Sarker, Mahbubur Rahman Mahbub, Nurul Islam Dipu, Shahidul Islam Shipu, Hafiz alias Kana Hafiz and Sohag alias Saru. All of them but Nurul Islam Dipu are now in jail while Nurul Islam Dipu is still in hiding.
It commuted death sentences to life term of Mohammad Ali, Syed Ahmed Majnu, Anwar Hossain Anu, Ratan alias Bara Ratan, Abu Salam, Jahangir and Mashiur Rahman alias Mashu. Mohammad Ali, Ratan and Abu Salam are in custody while the rest four are still in hiding.
Amir, Jahangir alias Baro Jahangir, Faisal, Lokman Hossain alias Bulu, Rani Miah, Khokon and Dulal Mia, who were sentenced to death by the trial court were acquitted of the charges.
The High Court upheld the sentence for life term of two convicts — Nurul Amin and Ohidul Islam Tipu, still in hiding.
Jahangir, son of Meher Ali, Rakib Uddin Sarkar alias Papu Sarker, Ayub Ali, and Monir, who were also sentenced to imprisonment for life term, were acquitted of the charges.
The High Court bench pronounced the verdict after hearing the death reference and appeals filed by the detained convicts.
The court observed that Ahsanullah Master was shot to death following conflict between Juba League leader Mahfuzur Rahman Mahal and former Juba Dal leader Nurul Islam Sarkar over drugs business.
Nurul Islam Sarkar masterminded the killing, the court said.
On April 16, 2005, the Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 sentenced 22 accused to death, and six to imprisonment for life term for killing Ahsanullah Master at a rally organised by Swechchhasebak League at Noagaon MA Mazid Miah High School ground at Tongi.
Ahsanullah Master and a schoolboy Omark Faruk Ratan were gunned down where Juba League leader Mahfuzur Rahman Mahal received bullet-wounds.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net