Four sentenced to death for 2009 murder case in Habiganj

A Habiganj court today sentenced four men to death for the murder of Chhabu Mia in Madhabpur upazila of the district in 2009.

Judge AKM Kamal Uddin of Habiganj Additional District and Sessions Judge's Court-2 delivered the verdict in the afternoon, nearly 16 years after the incident.

The convicts — Emran Mia, Soleman Mia, Zahed Mia, and Abul Mia — were also fined Tk 50,000 each.

Confirming the verdict, court clerk Tapan Shil said five individuals had originally been accused in the case. One of them, Maraj Mia, was acquitted posthumously as he passed away during the course of the trial.

The court came to its decision after recording statements from 13 out of 17 witnesses.

"We are pleased with the verdict. Justice has been served, and we believe this will stand as an example," said Additional Public Prosecutor AKM Bazlul Amin.

Hafiz Mia, the victim's brother and plaintiff in the case, said, "We have received justice. Now, we demand the swift execution of the sentence."

According to the case statement, a long-standing personal dispute had existed between Chhabu Mia and Emran Mia. Chhabu's first wife, Rasheda Begum, reportedly married Emran in mid-2007 through coercion. Chhabu later got married to another woman, which further escalated tensions.

On April 13, 2009, Chhabu was allegedly called away by Emran, Soleman, and Abul while returning home from the market and went missing that day.

The following morning, locals found his injured body in a haor area of the village. Police later recovered the body upon receiving information.

Hafiz Mia filed a murder case against the five accused. After investigation, a charge sheet was submitted, eventually leading to today's verdict — bringing a long wait for justice to an end.