The High Court has overturned the death sentences of four individuals convicted in the murder of fifth-grade student Rima Akter from Jajira, Shariatpur. On Monday morning, a dual bench led by Justice Mohammad Ali delivered the verdict, acquitting Swapna Begum and Selim Chowkidar while sentencing Chunnu Morol and Nuru Morol to life imprisonment.

According to the case details, Rima Akter, daughter of Ilias Chowkidar from Ahmad Chowkidar Kandi village in Naodoba Union, went missing on 11 September 2017. Two days later, police recovered her mutilated body from an abandoned homestead in Majid Howladar Kandi village. Her father filed a case on 14 September alleging rape and murder. In 2019, the Shariatpur Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal had sentenced four accused to death for the crime.

The High Court’s latest ruling modifies the earlier tribunal judgment, reducing the punishment for two and acquitting the other two, thereby concluding a significant legal development in the long-running case.