Six accused including Awami League leader sentenced to life in Rana murder case

A court in Kalia upazila of Narail has sentenced 6 people including Union Awami League General Secretary Kajal Molla to life imprisonment in the murder case of BNP leader Masud Rana. At the same time, 11 more people have been sentenced to different terms of imprisonment. On Monday (August 25), Judge Md. Rafiqul Islam of Dhaka’s Speedy Trial Tribunal No. 1 announced the verdict. On the other hand, 21 accused have been acquitted as the charges were not proven. The accused sentenced to life imprisonment are: Kajal Molla, Setu Molla, Linku Sheikh, Sirajul Islam alias Shipul Molla, Lithu Molla and Tapu Khan alias Hashib Khan. Each of them has been given an additional 6 months of rigorous imprisonment in default of paying a fine of Tk 50,000. In addition, Taiyebur Gazi, Humayun Molla, Limon Molla, Hridoy Khan, Tony Molla and Sohag Molla have been sentenced to 10 years in prison and a fine of Tk 5,000, with another one-month rigorous imprisonment in default. On the other hand, Hasmat Molla, Nazrul Molla, Ravi Molla, Abuzar Molla and Samraj Molla have been sentenced to one year in prison and a fine of Tk 200, with a seven-day rigorous imprisonment in default. State prosecutor Dalia Parveen confirmed the verdict to journalists. The case alleges that on August 5, 2020, the accused attacked BNP leader Masud Rana with firearms and country-made weapons due to past enmity. He died on the way to the hospital in serious injuries. The deceased’s younger brother Mamun Sheikh filed a case with Kalia Police Station in this incident. After the investigation, a charge sheet was filed on December 12 of the same year, accusing 38 people. On September 1, 2021, the court framed charges and ordered the trial to begin. During the hearing, 40 of the 47 witnesses included in the charge sheet testified in court.