Dhaka: The High Court on Wednesday upheld the life term imprisonment to five accused and acquitted four others in journalist Gautam Das killing case.

The HC bench of Justice AKM Abdul Hakim and Justice Fatema Najib passed the order, said Deputy Attorney General Harun-or-Rashid, reports the UNB.

Earlier on January 9, the court fixed the date for delivering its verdict.

The life term convicts are Asif Imran, Siddiqur Rahman Miah, Asad Bin Kadir and Abu Taher Mohammad Mortuza Ahsa.

The court also ordered to release Asif Imtiaz Bulu, Kamrul Islam Apon, Rajib Hassan Miah and Kazi Murad.

Gautam Das, Faridpur bureau chief of the Dainik Samakal, was strangulated to death by unknown assailants at his office at Niltali in the district town of Faridpur on November 17, 2005.

A speedy trial tribunal in Dhaka On June 27, 2013 sentenced nine people to life imprisonment in the case while another accused died during the trial proceedings.

Later, the convicts filed appeals with the High Court.