The Speedy Trial Tribunal of Barisal handed down the death penalty to Kamal Sardar, 38.

Judge Md Abdul Matin, however, acquitted 18 other accused as the charges brought against them were not proved.

Hundreds of people were waiting outside the court during the reading of the verdict. A big contingent of police was also deployed to avoid any untoward situation.

According to the prosecution, Advocate Mahmud Hasan Mehedi, a leader of the district BNP, was gunned down in front of his house on March 28, 2000.

DB Inspector Mahabubul Islam filed two chargesheets against the accused, one under Section 302 of Bangladesh Penal Code and another under Explosive Substances Act, after Jahanara Begum, mother of Mehedi, filed a case against 19 people.

Both the cases were being tried in the first Additional District Judge's Court. Later, the murder case was transferred to the Speedy Trial Tribunal.

Special PP Majibur Rahman Nantu appeared for the state while advocates Enayet-Peer-Khan, Abdul Mazid Munshi and Abdul Mannan Akand defended the accused.