Two Sentenced to Death for Student Murder

The Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Court has sentenced two young men to death for the brutal murder of Tejgaon College student Ikram Hossain Molla, 22, in a case that shocked residents of the capital’s northern suburbs.

On Sunday, 22 February, Judge Md Sabbir Faiz of the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s Court delivered the verdict, convicting Md Siddiq, 23, and Md Shanto Mia, 22, of murder. In addition to the death penalty, the court imposed seven years’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Tk 50,000 each for attempting to conceal the body. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional three months’ simple imprisonment. The court’s bench assistant, Md Riaz Hossain, confirmed the ruling.

Planned Luring and Killing

According to court records, the incident took place on the night of 4 May 2023. The convicts allegedly called Ikram from his home on the pretext of repaying money owed to him. They subsequently took him to a remote sandbank area between Patira and Dumni under Khilkhet Police Station, near the Bashundhara riverine zone.

There, Ikram was assaulted with a hammer and a sharp, pointed tool before his throat was slit with a cutting instrument. After the killing, the perpetrators disposed of the body in a nearby ditch and attempted to conceal it beneath water hyacinths. Police recovered the body on 6 May 2023 following a search operation.

Case Proceedings

The victim’s father, Md Kabir Hossain Molla, filed a murder case with Khilkhet Police Station shortly after the body was discovered. Following an investigation, police submitted a charge sheet against the accused on 26 November 2023. The court formally framed charges on 29 February 2024, paving the way for trial proceedings.

During the trial, 17 prosecution witnesses testified before the court. The judge observed that the evidence, including witness statements and forensic findings, established the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt.

Timeline of the Case

Legal and Social Context

Under Bangladeshi criminal law, premeditated murder carries the maximum penalty of death. The additional sentence for concealing the body reflects the court’s view of the calculated nature of the crime.

The verdict has drawn attention to issues of youth violence and disputes over financial transactions among peers. Legal analysts note that death sentences are subject to mandatory confirmation by the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh before execution.

For Ikram’s family, the judgment marks the culmination of nearly three years of legal proceedings. While the ruling cannot undo their loss, they expressed hope that it would serve as a deterrent against similar acts of violence.