Ekram murder: Death reference of 39 convicts reaches HC

The death reference of Feni’s Phulgazi upazila chairman Ekramul Haque murder case reached the High Court today for examining of the trial court verdict that sentenced 39 Awami League men to death.

Concerned officials of the Feni court brought the documents of the killing case, including the judgment, to the HC, said Supreme Court’s Special Officer Barrister Md Saifur Rahman.

Now, the section concerned of the HC will prepare paper book of the case on approval from Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain. After the paper book is readied, the HC will hear the death reference and dispose of it, he added.

If a lower court sentences any person to death in a case, its judgment is examined by the HC through hearing arguments for confirmation of the death sentence. The case documents and judgment reaches as death reference to the HC from the lower court in seven days after the announcement of the verdict.

A Feni court on Tuesday sentenced 39 activists of Awami League and its front organizations Jubo League, and Chhatra League to death for killing Phulgazi upazila chairman Ekramul Haque in 2014.

Feni District and Sessions Judge Aminul Haque delivered the verdict that acquitted 16 other accused. Of the convicts, 17 are on the run.

Ekram, who was also the president of Phulgazi upazila AL unit, was shot and burnt alive in his car in broad daylight in Academy Road area in Feni town on May 20, 2014. Four of his associates, including a local journalist, were also injured.