Family feels let down
Family members of Bishwajit were surprised at the High Court verdict and expressed frustration as the court upheld the death penalty of only two condemned killers.
Ananta Das, Bishwajit's father, said, “We are not happy with the judgment. We hoped the judgment of the lower court would be upheld. We did not get justice.”
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. “We will not get back our son. But we hoped that we would get justice. Where will we go now?” the 55-year-old father told The Daily Star by phone.
On hearing the verdict, Bishwajit's parents went to a memorial they built in front of their village home and broke down in tears, reports a correspondent from Shariatpur.
Bishwajit's mother Kalpana Rani Das said, “We will not get him back. But we want justice.
“If we do not get justice for the killing, such incidents will keep occurring and many mothers will lose their children,” she added.
In his reaction, Bishwajit's elder brother Uttam Das said, “We never thought such a verdict will come. Many including journalists talked with us and said the [trial court's] judgment would be upheld. We felt relieved. But what we had today was totally beyond our expectations.”
Uttam added he wanted to go to the High Court but did not do so as family members forbid him to go out of fear.
After the brutal killing on December 2009, 2012, Uttam intentionally avoided the footage of the killing on TV.
“But after today's [yesterday] verdict, I have seen the footage. Five to seven people were seen attacking him. Then how come only two were given the death penalty?” he asked.
He also expressed anger that the fugitives were not being held. “Rajon is absconding. If the government tried, he could be arrested anywhere in the world.”
Asked if they would file an appeal with the Appellate Division, he said they would consider it after talking with other family members.
He added his other family members, relatives and many local journalists began to gather at their house in Shariatpur since yesterday morning to know about the judgment.
“But all of them were frustrated,” he said.
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