Judge Mohammad Firoz Alam of Speedy Trial Tribunal-3 handed down the punishment in presence of the convicts.

The convicts are Sohel Reaz Pappu, Shahriar Hossain Jasim, Lallu Uddin alias Lalu, Mir Mohammad Reaz, Shah Alam, Ratan and Tipu alias Murgi Tipu.

The verdict was pronounced after the court had cross-examined 17 prosecution witnesses.

The court acquitted Hasibul Haq alias Biplob and Zakir Hossain Sohel as the charges brought against them were not proved.

The convicts can appeal to the High Court against the verdict within 30 days from the day of receipt of the judgement copy, the court said.

Another Dhaka court earlier sentenced Pappu and Lalu to 17 years' rigorous imprisonment (RI) for possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.

Pappu is accused in nine criminal cases including five murder cases while Jasim is accused in five including three murder cases. Lalu and Reaz are also accused in five criminal cases including three murder cases.

Victim's parents Mahfuzur Rahman and Anwara Begum were present in the court during the delivery of the verdict and expressed their satisfaction over the judgement.

A gang led by Pappu used to demand toll from Imon's paternal uncle who ran a cable TV business. The gang on April 29, 2003 kidnapped Imon from Kazi Nazrul Road and took him to Government Primary School on Noorjahan Road in Mohammadpur where they shot him.

Convict Shah Alam, during investigation, gave a confessional statement to a magistrate saying that the gang led by Pappu killed Imon as he protested their toll collection.

Special Public Prosecutor Nurul Iman Babul appeared for the state while advocates Wadud Bhuiyan, Shah Alam, Hazrat Ali and Shahana Akhter defended the accused.