A Khulna court has sentenced four men to life imprisonment for the brutal 2013 murder of Rihad Hossain, a sixth-grade pupil at Rayermahal High School.
The verdict was delivered on Wednesday, 29 July, by Judge Najmus Shahadat of the Khulna Additional District and Sessions Judge Court-1. The court sentenced Raju Sheikh (alias Ganguya), Shamim (alias Sobuj Moral), Nur Alam Siddique (alias Collins alias Badsha), and Joyanta to life in prison with hard labour. Each of the four convicts was also fined 24,000 taka, with an additional six-month non-rigorous imprisonment mandated in default of payment.
Furthermore, another accused in the case, Abul Kalam Azad, was sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment along with a 5,000 taka fine, or an additional month of non-rigorous imprisonment if he defaults. Out of the five convicted individuals, only Nur Alam Siddique was present in court during the verdict, while the remaining four convicts remain absconding. Meanwhile, three other accused—Sohag Talukdar, Shamim Hossain, and Shahidur Rahman (alias Shaon)—were acquitted after the prosecution failed to prove their involvement beyond reasonable doubt.
The trial proceedings and legal outcomes of the case are detailed below:
| Case Parameter / Profile | Statutory & Judicial Detail |
| Court | Khulna Additional District & Sessions Judge Court-1 |
| Presiding Judge | Judge Najmus Shahadat |
| Date of Verdict | Wednesday, 29 July |
| Victim Name & Status | Rihad Hossain (Class 6 pupil, Rayermahal High School) |
| Date of Abduction | 6 December 2013 |
| Date Body Recovered | 9 December 2013 |
| Location Body Found | Panchu Canal, Dumuria Upazila, Khulna |
| Primary Convicts (Life Sentence) | Raju Sheikh, Shamim, Nur Alam Siddique, Joyanta |
| Life Sentence Penalty | Life imprisonment + 24,000 taka fine (6 months extra if default) |
| Secondary Convict & Sentence | Abul Kalam Azad (3 years’ imprisonment + 5,000 taka fine) |
| Acquitted Individuals | Sohag Talukdar, Shamim Hossain, Shahidur Rahman |
| Custodial Status | Nur Alam Siddique in custody; 4 convicts absconding |
According to case files, Rihad Hossain left his residence on the evening of 6 December 2013, driving his father’s electric easy-bike to transport passengers. Shortly after picking up a group of commuters who hired his vehicle for an undisclosed destination, Rihad phoned his garage owner to mention that his return would be delayed. He subsequently went missing, prompting his frantic family members to lodge a general diary (GD) with Aranghata Police Station.
Three days later, on 9 December 2013, news published in local newspapers regarding an unidentified adolescent body retrieved from the Panchu Canal in neighbouring Dumuria Upazila led the family to the Khulna Medical College Hospital morgue, where they identified Rihad. Forensic reports confirmed sharp-weapon injuries across his neck. Following the identification, the victim’s uncle, Sheikh Jahangir, filed a murder case against unidentified perpetrators at Dumuria Police Station, leading to an extensive investigation and eventual court trial.
