A Dhaka court on Thursday gave life sentences to nine people on charge of murdering journalist Gautam Das, eight years ago. Dhaka Speedy Trials Tribunal-1 Judge Shahed Nur Uddin pronounced the verdict. Daily Samakal’s Faridpur Bureau Chief Gautam was killed inside his office on
Nov 17, 2005, for publishing a report on corruption.This is the first verdict for killing a journalist in the last one decade.
The judge said Gautam had bonafide reasons to publish his report.
Of the 10 accused in the case, one Jahid Khan has passed away.
The others are – Asif Imran, Asif Imtiaz Bulu, Kazi Murad, Kamrul Islam Apan, Asad Bin Kadir, Siddiqur Rahman Mia, Tamzid Hossain Babu, Rajib Hassan Mia and Abu Taher Mortaza – all of whom were sentenced to life.
Another accused Mortaza, alias Apollo, is absconding .All other accused and their relatives were present at the court when the verdict was pronounced.
However, the convicted seemed indifferent to the verdict.
Complainant Hasanuzzaman, who is a local correspondent of Samakal, said that they would have been happier if the accused were hanged. “This verdict paves the way for justice for all the journalists who face similar fate.”
Expressing her dissatisfaction over the verdict, Gautam’s wife Dipali Das said,’’ I hoped that the killers would be hanged. But my all hopes for justice has vanished.”
What shall I do with the verdict, she said, adding after a few days all the killers would get released by using money.
I was deprived of justice even after waiting year after year, she said in an emotional tone.
Dipali also asked the Shamokal authorities to appeal against the verdict.
In an instant reaction, Daily Shamokal Editor Golam Sarwar said, “we also expected death penalty in the murder case.”
We shall file an appeal and hope our expected verdict would come from the appellate court, he added.
-With The Independent input
