Khulna: A court in Khulna on Monday sentenced seven people including a Union Parisad (UP) chairman to life term rigorous imprisonment (RI) for killing a college teacher in 2008.

Khulna Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal MA Rob Howlader handed down the verdict in a crowded courtroom in presence of the convicts after examining records and witnesses of the case.

The court fined them Tk 5,000 each, in default, to suffer four months more in jail.

The court also sentenced them to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment under section-3 and fined Tk 3,000 each, in default to suffer six months more in jail and more 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Tk 3,000 each under section 4 under explosive substance act in 1908 in another case (explosive case), in default, to suffer more six months in jail.

All sentences will continue together, according to prosecution.

The convicts are Mohituzzaman alias Mohit Master, 35, chairman of Monohorpur UP under Monirampur Upazila of Jessore, Prosen Halder, 42, Mohen Halder, 40, Heramon Halder, 28, Anisur Rahman, 35, Mizanur Rahman, 22, and Bidhan Halder of the upazila.

According to the prosecution, the convicts bombed to death a lecturer of Social Science department Sanjoy Halder of Moshihati Degree College under Monirampur upazila of Jessore on 16 March in 2008 due to previous enmity over land dispute.

He was admitted to Jessore 250-bed hospital in critical state, where he died on 17 March.

His wife Behula Halder filed two cases with Monirampur Police Station in this connection.

Monirampur police officer-in-charge Azam Siddiqi pressed charge sheet on 25 July in 2008. The cases were shifted to Khulna from Jessore Court on 15 February 2015.