Photo: Collected

CHATTOGRAM, April 5, 2026 (BSS) - A court here has sentenced five individuals to death and acquitted ten others over killing Chattogram College student Fasiur Rahman Shaon 18 years ago.

Besides, the court imposed a fine of Tk 25,000 on each of the convicts.

Shaon was allegedly killed by members of 'Gamcha Party' in Chattogram on July 24, 2007.

Sixth Additional Chattogram Metropolitan Sessions Judge Muhammad Ali Akkas delivered the verdict today. The convicted individuals are Belal Hossain, Zakir Hossain, Shahid Raja, Al Amin Gazi and Md. Sohel. 

Two of the convicts -- Al Amin Gazi and Md. Sohel -- are currently absconding and arrest warrants have been issued against them.

The remaining three convicts were present in the court when the verdict was announced and were ordered to be sent to jail.

However, the court acquitted 10 accused individuals as the charges against them were not proven.
 
According to case records, on July 24, 2007, police found the body of student Fasiur Rahman Shaon (27) in the Badsha Mia Road area of Kotwali Police Station in the city.

 He was a victim of a 'gamcha party' while on his way from home to coaching at the GEC intersection in the city. The police filed a charge sheet after investigating the case, and the trial process began on February 23, 2011, with the framing of charges against the accused.

In 2007, a gang known as the 'gamcha party' operated in the city. They would pretend to be drivers or assistants of CNG-powered auto-rickshaws to rob passengers of their belongings. 

Tragically, they would then kill their victims by strangling them with a towel (gamcha). 
The gang's activities were uncovered after the arrest of its members, solving the mystery behind these murders.