Rangpur: Nearly 11 years after the murder of journalist Mashiur Rahman, better known as Utso Rahman, a court in Rangpur has sentenced one individual to death and two others to life imprisonment. The Rangpur Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court, led by Judge Mashiur Rahman Khan, delivered the verdict in a crowded courtroom.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the court sentenced Rubel alias Hekram to death while Elin and Shuvo Kumar received life term rigorous imprisonment. However, all the convicted individuals are currently absconding. Despite the convictions, the court acquitted the main accused, drug dealer Zahiran Akhter Jui alias Gedi, due to insufficient evidence and lack of witnesses.
The prosecution detailed that Utso Rahman was last seen leaving his workplace at the Daily Juger Alo newspaper on December 23, 2015. He had planned to visit a relative but never returned home. His body was discovered the following morning in Dharmodas, with his hands and feet tied to a tree.
Following the discovery of his body, Utso Rahman's mother, Nurjahan Begum Nuri, filed a murder case with the Rangpur Kotwali police station. After an investigation, charges were filed against eight individuals, with six ultimately standing trial. The legal proceedings spanned nearly 11 years, and the verdict was announced without the presence of the convicts.
Plaintiff Nurjahan Begum expressed dissatisfaction with the verdict, stating, "We have been deprived of justice. The matter will be appealed to the High Court." The government prosecutor, Advocate Abdul Hadi Belal, and the plaintiff's lawyer, Advocate Palash Kanti Nag, revealed that Zahiran Akhter Jui, the case's mastermind, allegedly paid Taka 360,000 to orchestrate the murder, yet was acquitted by the court. Advocate Palash Kanti Nag confirmed plans to appeal the case to the High Court.