Priyanka murder: Rintu’s death penalty commuted

The High Court today commuted the death sentence of Zahidul Hoque Rintu to life imprisonment in the sensational case filed for killing his niece Sadia Nowshin Priyanka, who was a brilliant student of Viqarunnissa Noon School and College, in 2007.

The bench of Justice Bhabani Prasad Singha and Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam came up with the verdict after hearing the death reference of the case and an appeal filed by Rintu challenging the trial court verdict that had sentenced him to death for killing Priyanka.

The HC commuted the death sentence of Rintu on the ground that there was no eye witness of the case and Rintu has been serving in jail since February 2008 in this case, Deputy Attorney General Md Bashirullah told The Daily Star.

He also said the government will move an appeal before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court seeking death sentence for Rintu in this case.

The 17-year-old Priyanka, completed her SSC in 2006 from Viqarunnissa Noon School and College obtaining GPA-5, was found dead at her house at Boro Mogbazar area in Dhaka on July 18, 2007.

Priyanka's mother, Shamsunnahar found her daughter lying on the floor with several knots of a georgette scarf around her neck while the door closed from outside.

Priyanka's father Sultan Faruque filed a case with Ramna Police Station on July 19 the same year showing Rintu, her maternal uncle, as the main accused.

On January 29, 2012, the Speedy Trial Tribunal-4 of Dhaka sentenced Rintu to death as he confessed that he killed Priyanka and his offence was proved beyond doubt, DAG Bashirullah added.

Later, Rintu filed an appeal with the HC challenging the lower court verdict.

Advocate Khandker Mahbub Hossain and Advocate Jaglul Haider Afrik argued for Rintu.