The convicts are Farhad Hossain, 18, son of Abdul Kader Mian of Kuthipara village, and Hafizur Rahman, 19, son of Abu Bakar Siddique of Buzruk Boalia Ghoshpara village-both under Govindagonj upazila of Gaibandha district.

The court also fined the them Tk 5,000 each and, in default, to suffer six more months imprisonment.

Judge AFM Aminul Islam read out a 20-page judgement in a crowded courtroom yesterday morning.

According to the case history in brief, victim Limon, 18, son of Mahfizur Rahman of Bhogobanpur village under Gaibandha Sadar upazila, went to the upazila headquarters to sell his VCD player following an altercation with his parents.

Limon sold the VCD at Tk 2,000 with the help of the convicts. Hafizur Rahman demanded share from the amount. Hafizur in collaboration with Farhad forcibly took Limon to a nearby place as he refused to pay the share, and cut his throat with a sharp blade at about 7.30 pm on March 22, 2003. Limon died on the spot.

Local people found Limon's body lying in a pool of blood. Victim's brother-in-law lodged a case with Govindhaganj thana on that night accusing Hafiz and Farhad of killing Limon.

Police arrested the two accused the following day and a first class magistrate recorded their confessional statements in the court. After investigation, police gave charge sheet of the case on April 17, 2003.

The tribunal examined 22 prosecution witnesses and completed the trial within 55 working days since November 29 last.

Special Public Prosecutor Ketab Uddin appeared for the state while Advocates Murad Hossain Khan and Monsur Rahman defended the accused.