A Dhaka court on Sunday sentenced Monir Hossain to life imprisonment for stabbing Biplob Bashir to death in Gopibagh 25 years ago, following a dispute over repayment of a Tk 20 loan. Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge-13 Zahidul Islam also fined him Tk 20,000 and ordered a further three months of rigorous imprisonment if he fails to pay. The accused was absent when the verdict was delivered.

According to the case and court sources, the killing occurred on the afternoon of December 4, 2001. After leaving a mosque following prayers, victim’s father Nazir Ahmad saw Monir stabbing his son repeatedly on the road. Nazir Ahmad and others detained Monir after hearing Biplob’s cries. Biplob was taken first to Monowara Hospital and then National Hospital, where a doctor declared him dead.

Nazir Ahmad filed a murder case at Demra police station the same day. Police submitted a charge sheet against Monir on March 31, 2002, and the trial began after charges were framed on September 3 that year. Five witnesses testified. Monir received bail in 2009, but it was cancelled in 2013 after he failed to appear in court.