SYLHET, July 30, 2025 (BSS) - A court here today sentenced eight persons to death, seven to life imprisonment and 17 others two years of rigorous imprisonment in connection with the murder of a schoolboy named Sumel in Bishwanath upazila of the district in 2021.

Judge Syeda Amina Farhin of Sylhet’s Additional District and Sessions Judge Court pronounced the verdict.

Ashiq Uddin, public prosecutor of the court, said, the accused who were sentenced to death are UK expatriate Saiful Alam, Nazrul Alam, Sadrul, Siraj Uddin, Jamal, Rajan Mia Shahin, Abdul Jalil and Anwar Hossain. 

The accused who were sentenced to life imprisonment are-Ilias Mia, Abdun Nur, Joynal, Ashiq, Askir Mia, Farid Mia and Akbar Mia.

In addition, Lutfur Rahman, Mayur Mia, Mamunur Rashid (absconding), Kausar, Dilafor Ali, Parvez, Wahid, Dilawar Hossain, Muktar Ali, Abdur Rakib, Angur Ali, Jabed Islam, Shafiq, Makhlis Ali, Firoz Mia, Fakhr Uddin and Azad Mia have been sentenced to two years each. 

All but one convict were present when the verdict was announced. 

According to the case details, on May 1, 2021, Sumel Ahmed, a tenth-grade student of Shahjalal High School in Bishwanath, was shot dead during a altercation on land dispute in Chauldhoni Haor area.

On that day, UK expatriate Saiful Alam attempted to excavate soil from the land in Chaitannyanagar village, which accused Nazir Uddin claimed of his own. 

When Nazir, his cousin Manik Miah, and his 18-year-old nephew Sumel objected, an altercation broke out. During the confrontation, Saiful opened fire, killing Sumel on the spot and injuring four others, including Sumel’s father and uncle.

Ibrahim Ali Sijil, uncle of the deceased Sumel, filed a case with Bishwanath Police Station on May 3, naming 27 people. 

Rama Prasad Chakraborty, the then OC of Bishwanath Police Station and the investigation officer of the case, submitted the charge sheet against 32 people before the court after investigation. 

A total of 23 witnesses testified in the case, the PP said.