A Khulna court has sentenced eight people to life imprisonment in the double murder case of Haidar Ali and Tarikul Islam Piku in the city’s Sonadanga area. The verdict was delivered on Wednesday afternoon by Nusrat Jabin, judge of the Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court-1. Each convict was also fined 50,000 taka, with an additional one-year rigorous imprisonment in case of non-payment. Among the convicts, only Faruk Sheikh alias Gari Faruk was present in court, while seven others remain absconding, prompting the court to issue arrest warrants against them.

According to the prosecution, the murders took place on February 28, 2010, due to previous enmity. Haidar Ali’s brother, Taiyeb Ali, filed the murder case at Sonadanga Police Station, naming 17 accused. Police submitted the charge sheet on October 3, 2010. After a lengthy trial, the court found eight defendants guilty and acquitted nine others due to insufficient evidence.

The ruling concludes a prolonged legal process that began over fifteen years ago, bringing partial closure to the victims’ families while efforts continue to apprehend the absconding convicts.