Capital Sentence Imposed for the Murder of a Businessman in Netrokona

A senior court in Netrokona has sentenced a man to death for the premeditated killing of a local businessman. The verdict was delivered on Thursday, 30 April 2026, by the Netrokona Senior District and Sessions Judge, Ms Maryam-Mun-Manjuri. The convict, identified as Md Ratan Mia, 56, was found guilty of the homicide of Md Babul Mia, 40.

In addition to the capital sentence, the court imposed a financial penalty of 50,000 BDT on the convict. Md Ratan Mia, a resident of the West Chakpara area in Netrokona Sadar Upazila, was present in the dock when the judgment was read aloud. The Public Prosecutor (PP), Md Abul Hasan, confirmed the details of the ruling to the press following the conclusion of the session.

Background and Circumstances of the Homicide

The victim, Md Babul Mia, was a businessman residing in the Satpai Rail Crossing area of Netrokona town. According to court records and testimonies provided by local residents, the conflict between the two men originated from allegations of an extramarital affair between the deceased and Ratan Mia’s wife.

On the night of 28 September 2018, Ratan Mia reportedly lured Babul Mia to a secluded location on the banks of a river in the Kakuria Mashim Daspara area, situated within the Kailati Union of Kalmakanda Upazila. Under the guise of a meeting, Ratan Mia attacked Babul Mia with a sharp weapon (a machete), inflicting fatal injuries. To conceal the crime, the perpetrator hid the body beneath a thicket of water hyacinths in the river.

The following morning, local villagers discovered the floating remains in the river and immediately alerted the authorities. Officers from the local police station recovered the body and transported it to the 250-bed District Sadar Hospital for a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.

Legal Proceedings and Investigation

Following the discovery of the body, the victim’s brother, Md Shamim Mia, initiated a formal murder case by filing a complaint at the Kalmakanda Police Station. The subsequent police investigation led to the apprehension of Ratan Mia.

Upon his arrest and subsequent presentation before the court, Ratan Mia provided a confessional statement under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, admitting his direct involvement in the killing. The police proceeded to conduct a thorough investigation, eventually submitting a formal charge sheet to the court.

During the trial, the prosecution presented a total of 17 witnesses, including forensic experts and local residents, to substantiate the charges. The court observed that the evidence and the voluntary confession of the accused established his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Defence Response and Future Action

The defendant was represented during the proceedings by legal counsel Md Anisur Rahman. Following the pronouncement of the death sentence, the defence lawyer indicated that his client intended to challenge the verdict.

As per the legal framework in Bangladesh, a death sentence passed by a sessions court must be examined and confirmed by the High Court Division through a death reference. The defence counsel confirmed that an appeal would be filed in the higher judiciary to seek a revision of the judgment.

This verdict concludes a judicial process that spanned nearly eight years, addressing a crime that had caused significant concern within the Netrokona business community. For now, the convict has been returned to custody to await the mandatory review of his sentence by the High Court.