Sylhet: A court here today sentenced eight individuals to death, seven to life imprisonment, and 17 others to two years of rigorous imprisonment for their involvement in the murder of a schoolboy named Sumel in Bishwanath upazila of the district in 2021. Judge Syeda Amina Farhin of Sylhet’s Additional District and Sessions Judge Court announced the verdict.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Ashiq Uddin, the public prosecutor of the court, revealed that the individuals sentenced to death include UK expatriate Saiful Alam, Nazrul Alam, Sadrul, Siraj Uddin, Jamal, Rajan Mia Shahin, Abdul Jalil, and Anwar Hossain. Those sentenced to life imprisonment are Ilias Mia, Abdun Nur, Joynal, Ashiq, Askir Mia, Farid Mia, and Akbar Mia.
Moreover, those receiving a two-year sentence include Lutfur Rahman, Mayur Mia, Mamunur Rashid (currently absconding), Kausar, Dilafor Ali, Parvez, Wahid, Dilawar Hossain, Muktar Ali, Abdur Rakib, Angur Ali, Jabed Islam, Shafiq, Makhlis Ali, Firoz Mia, Fakhr Uddin, and Azad Mia. All but one convict were present when the verdict was announced.
According to the case details, on May 1, 2021, Sumel Ahmed, a tenth-grade student at Shahjalal High School in Bishwanath, was fatally shot during an altercation over a land dispute in the Chauldhoni Haor area. On that day, UK expatriate Saiful Alam attempted to excavate soil from land in Chaitannyanagar village, which was claimed by accused Nazir Uddin. When Nazir, his cousin Manik Miah, and his 18-year-old nephew Sumel objected, a confrontation ensued. During the altercation, Saiful opened fire, killing Sumel instantly and injuring four others, including Sumel’s father and uncle.
Ibrahim Ali Sijil, Sumel’s uncle, filed a case with Bishwanath Police Station on May 3, naming 27 people. Rama Prasad Chakraborty, the then OC of Bishwanath Police Station and the investigation officer, submitted the charge sheet against 32 individuals after the investigation. A total of 23 witnesses testified in the case, as stated by the public prosecutor.