Biswajit murder: HC upholds death for 2

The High Court (HC) upheld the death sentence for two convicts in the sensational murder of Biswajit Das, who was hacked in broad daylight by ruling party men in 2012.

The two death row convicts are Rafiqul Islam Shakil and Rajan Talukdar.

The bench of Justice Md Ruhul Quddus and Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty passed the order on Sunday.

The HC also commuted the death sentence of four to life imprisonment and acquitted four people in the case.

On December 18, 2013, the Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-4 sentenced eight persons to death and 13 others to life term for murdering Biswajit.

Metropolitan Magistrate Zahurul Haque framed the charges against the 21 activists of Jagannath University unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), associate body of the ruling party Awami League, on June 2, 2013.

On March 5, Tajul Islam, DB inspector and investigation officer of the case, submitted the charge sheet against the 21 accused.

On December 9, 2012, the ruling Awami League student front Chhatra League activists beat and hacked Biswajit, 24, in broad daylight in presence of police soon after pro-opposition lawyers brought out a procession in support of a countrywide shutdown.