A Dhaka court has sentenced five people to death and four others to life imprisonment in the murder case of physician leader Dr. Narayan Chandra Dutta Nitai. Another accused has been handed life imprisonment until death.
The verdict was delivered on Sunday (August 17) by Judge Rezaul Karim of Dhaka Special Judge Court-10, prosecutor Moazzem Hossain confirmed.
The convicts sentenced to death are Kamrul Hasan Arun, Masum Mintu, Said Bapari, Bakul Mia, and Said Miji.
Those sentenced to life imprisonment until death are Abul Kalam, Saidul, Faisal, and Peda Masum.
Rafiqul Islam received a life sentence.
All 10 accused were produced before the court during the verdict. After pronouncement, the sentencing orders were issued and they were sent back to prison.
Dr. Nitai was murdered on August 23, 2012, at his residence in Mahakhali Chest Disease Hospital. His father, Tarit Kanti Dutta, filed a case with Banani Police Station the same day.
On February 11, 2013, Detective Branch Inspector Gazi Ataur Rahman, the investigation officer, submitted a charge sheet against the 10 accused.
The charge sheet stated that Dr. Nitai was killed during a robbery attempt. Several of the accused — including Mintu, Rafiqul, Pichchi Kalam, Saidul, Peda Masud, and Faisal — gave confessional statements under Section 164.
On July 22, 2013, the court framed charges against the accused and ordered the trial to begin. During proceedings, testimonies of 29 witnesses were recorded, while five accused presented defense witnesses.
