Humayun Azad murder: 4 get death penalty

A court has sentenced four members of banned militant outfit Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) in a case filed over the murder of Dhaka University Professor Dr Humayun Azad. 

Dhaka Fourth Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Al-Mamun passed the order on Wednesday. 

The death-row convicts are Mizanur Rahman alias Minhaz alias Shafiq, Anwarul Alam alias Bhagina Shahid, Saleheen alias Salahuddin and Nur Mohammad alias Sabu.

Earlier on March 27, the same court fixed today to deliver its verdict as both the prosecution and defence concluded arguments in the case.

Professor Azad was mercilessly hacked by militants in the university area as he was returning from Amar Ekushey Book Fair on February 27, 2004. 

His brother Monjur Kabir filed a case over attempt to murder with Ramna Police Station the next day.

After the attack, Professor Azad took treatment in Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in the capital, and later he was shifted to another hospital in Bangkok in Thailand. Later, he died while undergoing treatment in Germany on August 12, 2004.

The case turned into a murder case with his death.

CID Inspector and Investigation Officer Lutfur Rahman filed charge sheet on April 30, 2012, against five, JMB militants Mizanur Rahman alias Minhaz alias Shafiq, Anwarul Alam alias Bhagina Shahid, Saleheen alias Salahuddin, Hafiz Mahmud and Nur Mohammad alias Sabu.

Of the five, Minhaz and Anwar are in jail and gave confessional statements. Salauddin and Nur Mohammad are yet to be arrested and Hafiz Mahmud died of natural case.

A total of 41 witnesses including the investigation officer have testified in the case.