Feni: Law enforcement agencies are yet to arrest the 17 convicts sentenced to death by a lower court in March last year in Fulgazi upazila chairman Ekramul Haque Ekram murder case.

Feni District and Session's Court on March 13, 2018 sentenced 39 people to death in the sensational murder case. Among them, 22 are now behind bars while 17 remained fugitive.

In the verdict, 16 other accused, including prime accused BNP leader Mahtab Uddin Chowdhury Minar, got acquittal.

Family members of the victim have expressed doubt over the execution of the verdict as hearing on the appeal with the High Court against the verdict is yet to be held. 

Talking to reporters, Ekram’s bother Mojammel Haq said, “Although those involved in the murder got due punishment, the masterminds remained untouched. It must be ensured by the government that the condemned convicts don’t get acquittal at the higher court. The government must take initiatives for the quick execution of the verdict.” 

Adv Hafez Ahmed, Feni Judge Court Public Prosecutor (PP), said Ekram was killed by armed miscreants in front of Bilasi Cinema Hall on May 20, 2014. His elder brother then filed a case with Feni model police station.

Among the 22 condemned convicts, then Awami League (AL) joint general secretary Jahangir Kabir Adel, municipality councilor Abdullah Hil Mahmud Shiblu are now in jail. 

Jailer of Feni District Jail Md Didarul Alam said the condemned convicts were shifted to Kashimpur high security jail after the pronouncement of the verdict. 
Among them, Nur Uddin Mia, Arif and Tota Mia were brought back to Feni as they were convicted in other cases, too.
The fugitive 17 convicts are Fulgazi upazila AL joint general secretary Jahid Hossain Jihad, Feni-2 MP Nizam Hazari’s cousin Abidul Islam Abid, Md Nafiz Uddin Anik, Arman Hossain Kauser, Jahedul Hashem Soikat, Ziaur Rahman Bappi, Jashim Uddin Nayan, Emran Hossain Russel, Rahat Md Erfan, Ekram Hossain, Shafiqur Rahman, Kafil Uddin, Mosleh Uddin Asif, Ismail Hossain Chuttu, Mohiuddin Anis, Bablu and Titu.
Dfence counsel Ahsan Kabir Bengal said the convicts filed an appeal with the Appellate Division against the lower court verdict.