Four Sentenced to Death in Sabana Begum Murder Case in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar

A court has sentenced four accused to death in the murder case of Sabana Begum, who was killed over a land-related dispute in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar. Each of the convicts has also been fined 50,000 taka.

Judge Md Anwarul Haque of the Moulvibazar Additional District and Sessions Judge's First Court delivered the verdict at noon on Thursday (October 29). The matter was confirmed by the court's Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) Abdul Wahid.

The four men sentenced to death are Nasir Mia, Gias Mia, Billal Mia and Dulal Mia.

There were 14 accused in total in the widely discussed murder case. Two other accused received prison terms and fines of varying lengths. Muhibur Rahman was sentenced to seven years' rigorous imprisonment and a fine of 25,000 taka, while Joynal Mia received one year's rigorous imprisonment and a fine of 1,000 taka.

Five accused were acquitted as the charges against them were not proven. They are Jabed Mia, Hasi Begum, former UP chairman Abul Bashar Mia, Md Ali Islam and Nazmin Begum. Three other accused in the case — Faruk Mia, Chharuk Mia and Raja Mia — died of natural causes.

According to the case statement, on April 7, 2016, in Purba Laiyarkul village of Bhunbir Union in Sreemangal upazila, a dispute over drainage of water from a homestead escalated, and Sabana Begum (30), wife of Joynal Mia, was hacked to death with sharp weapons by her stepbrothers-in-law and their relatives.

The victim's brother, Helal Mia, filed a murder case with Sreemangal Police Station naming 14 accused. The verdict was delivered on Thursday after a long trial process.

Under the court's order, the entire amount of fines realised from the convicted accused will be given to the members of the victim's family.