Dhaka: A Khulna court on Wednesday sentenced four individuals to life imprisonment for the murder of Rihad Hossain, a Class VI student at Rayermohol Secondary School.

According to United News of Bangladesh, the convicts are identified as Raju Sheikh alias Gangua, Shamim alias Sabuj Moral, Nur Alam Siddique alias Collins alias Badsha, and Jayanta. The verdict, confirmed by court bench assistant Nazrul Islam, was delivered by Additional District and Sessions Judge’s Court-1 Judge Nazmus Shahadat. Alongside the life sentences, the court imposed a fine of Tk 20,000 on each convict. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional six months of imprisonment.

The court also issued separate sentences under two other legal sections, with corresponding fines. Another individual involved in the case, Abul Kalam Azad, received a three-year rigorous imprisonment sentence and a Tk 5,000 fine. In the event of non-payment, Azad will serve an extra month in jail.

Court records reveal that on December 6, 2013, Rihad left his home around 6 pm with his father’s easy bike to transport passengers at Mostofa’s Mor. Several individuals hired his vehicle and led him to an undisclosed location, resulting in his disappearance. Before vanishing, Rihad informed the garage owner via mobile phone that he would be late returning home. When he did not return, his family contacted the owner, but no further information about his whereabouts was available.

On December 9, an unidentified body was discovered at Dumuria Panchu Khal. Family members later identified the body as Rihad’s at Khulna Medical College Hospital, following reports in local newspapers. Medical examinations revealed injury marks on Rihad’s throat inflicted by a sharp weapon.

In response to the tragic discovery, Rihad’s uncle, Sheikh Jahangir, lodged a murder case against unidentified individuals at Dumuria Police Station.