A Dhaka court yesterday handed down death sentence to two people, put three others behind bars for life and acquitted ruling BNP lawmaker Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu’s brother for the sensational Keraniganj double murder.

Chandu alias Chand Miah and Talim alias Tailla are to walk the gallows and Mohammad Mehbub, Mohammad Motaleb and Zahidul Islam Saju to serve out life sentences.

Talim was tried in absentia while Chand Miah, the MP's brother Reaz Uddin Ahmed Moni and others were present in the dock when Judge AR Masud of the Speedy Trial Tribunal-4 gave the verdict at a jam-packed courtroom.

The court acquitted Moni and 17 others on the-grounds that charges brought against them were not proved conclusively.

The punishment of the fugitives will be effective from the date of their arrest or surrender, the court said.

Talking to The Daily Star by telephone, Amir Hamza, brother of the victim, Amir Abdullah Shakil, expressed his displeasure with the verdict and said he will appeal with the High Court against the judgement. He said Moni was acquitted even though specific charges were brought against him in the first information report (FIR) and in the charge sheet. Moreover, Hamza said, Moni and other accused produced prosecution witnesses before court and the witnesses testified according to the wish of Moni and others.

Earlier, the prosecution and the defence completed their arguments and the court recorded statements of 23 prosecution witnesses.

Assailants gunned down Amir Abdullah Shakil, 26, former secretary of Zinjira Market /Association and sports secretary of Zinjira Union Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, and Sentu, 30, a lessee of a cattle market at Zinjira Bazar, on February 16,2002. Hamza filed a murder case with Keraniganj Police Station accusing Moni and nine others the same day. The investigation officer pressed charges against Moni and 22 others on November 20,2002.

The court framed charges against Moni and 22 others on July 20 last year. Trial was completed in 130 workdays although it was stayed for more than nine months following a High Court order.

Earlier on September 3 last year, the High Court issued a rule on the government and stayed proceedings of the case after a criminal revision was filed with it

The criminal revision was filed against the tribunal's August 17 rejection of the prayer for withdrawal of the charges against Moni and nine others.

The home ministry on July 15 last year in a letter wrote to the Dhaka Metropolitan public prosecutor (PP) to arrange for relieving of Monir and nine others of the charges. The letter said the case was false and fabricated.

Special PP Aminul Islam and advocates ABM Sharfuddin Khan Mukul, Nazrul Islam and Mohammad All appeared for the state, while advocates TM Akbar, Mahbub Ahmed and Masud Ahmed Talukder defended the accused.