District and Sessions Judge Md Saiful Alom gave the verdict.

The 27 accused are prominent leaders of ruling BNP.

Sohel, the then BCL (Banglafrsh Chhatra League) president at Barisal Hatem Ali College, was shot dead on March 29, 1996, 22 hours before Awami League took over power.

BCL had brought out a procession on the Sadar Road in the city in the evening of March 29 in 1996. It came under attack allegedly by BNP activists when it was crossing the BNP office and Sohel was shot in the chest. He died soon after at hospital.

Syed Anisur Rahman, publicity secretary of Barisal district Awami League, filed a case against 27 BNP men on March 30, 1996.

Police SI Shaheduzzaman submitted charge sheet against the accused on July 31, 1996 after investigation.

But when trial of the case started, most of the witnesses did not turn up to give evidence. Only five out of 15 gave statements in the court.

Even complainant Syed was not present to testify. When the court summoned on him to appear before court, his family members came to the court and informed it in writing that Syed Anis was out of the country.

Four of the accused died during trial. They were former lawmaker Nasim Baiswas, district BNP student affairs secretary advocate Mehedi, party vice-president Kader Sikdar and Juba Dal leader Shahin.

The 23 others are former Mayor of barisal City Corporation Ahsan Habib Kamal, former Union Parishad chairman Altaf Hossain, BNP leader Abul Kalam Shahin, Public Prosecutor Kamrul Ahsan Shahin, central Jubo Dal leader Ataharul Islam Babul, city Jubo Dal president Monirul Ahsan Monir, BNP leader Aktaruzzaman Shahin, Rafiqul Islam Shahin, Mosharraf Hossain, Jahid, Shahed, Saiful Ahsan Azim, Rezaul Karim, district JCP president Monwar Hasan Zipu, Rintu, ward commissioner Jainal Khan, Sagor, Kawsar Biswas, Kalu, Babu, Litu, Ferdous and Milton.

Altaf and Milton joined Awami league in 1997.