Rajshahi: A court here on Monday sentenced three people to death for killing Rajshahi University Professor AKM Shafiul Islam Lilon in 2014.

The condemned convicts are Abdus Samad Pintu, former Katakhali municipal unit Jubo Dal organising secretary Ariful Islam Manik, and Lutfor Rahman Sabuj. Among them, Sabuj was tried in absentia, reports the .

The court also fined them Tk 10,000 each.

Rajshahi speedy trial tribunal Judge Anup Kumary Roy handed down the verdict.

Besides, the court acquitted eight other accused in the case.

They are—district BNP joint secretary Anwar Hossain Ujjal, Pintu’s wife Nasreen Akhter Reshma, Sirajul Islam Kalu, Al-Mamun, Sagar, Jinnat Ali, Ibrahim Khalil and Arif.

Earlier on April 6, Rajshahi speedy trial tribunal set April 15 (today) for delivering the verdict in the murder case.

On 15 November 2014, Sociology department teacher professor Shafiul Islam, known as a progressive teacher and a Lalon songs enthusiast, was stabbed by some unknown assailants at Chouddapai near the RU campus on his way home.

He succumbed to his injures at the Intensive Care Unit of Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital.

A murder case was filed the following day accusing unknown persons.

On November 30, 2015, Inspector Rezaus Sadik of Detective Branch submitted a charge sheet against 11 people and ruled out any militant outfit’s involvement in the murder.