A Dhaka court has sentenced five individuals to death for the murder of rickshaw driver Mukul, also known as Chocolate, during an autorickshaw hijacking in Keraniganj six years ago. The verdict was delivered on Thursday, April 30, 2026, by Judge ABM Ashfaq-ul Haque of the Dhaka First Additional District and Sessions Judge Court. Each convict was also fined 10,000 taka. Two of the convicts, Shahin Hawlader and Ferdous alias Barek alias Vhatija, were present in court and sent to prison after the verdict, while three others remain fugitives and have been issued arrest warrants.

According to the case, the convicts, led by Sohel alias Juel, were part of a gang that posed as passengers, abducted rickshaw drivers, and stole their vehicles. Mukul was killed with a knife between June 27 and 28, 2020, and his autorickshaw was later sold or hidden. The case was filed by the victim’s brother, Abu Hanif. The Police Bureau of Investigation submitted the charge sheet in May 2022, and the court heard testimony from 15 of 26 witnesses.

Several other accused were acquitted due to lack of evidence, as the charges against them were not proven beyond doubt.