Two executed for killing freedom fighter Shafi Uddin after 19 years

Two men, convicted for killing Chattogram Railway official and valiant freedom fighter Shafi Uddin in 2003, were executed at Cumilla Central Jail on Tuesday night, 19 years after the incident.  

Shipon Hawladar, son of late Younus Hawladar of Chattogram's Khulshi area, and Naimul Islam, son of late Edun Mia Sarkar of Lalkhan Bazar area, were hanged at 11.30 pm, Senior jail superintendent Shahjahan Ahmed told The Business Standard. 

Later, the bodies were handed over to their families after completing all the mandatory legal procedures, Shahjahan added. 

Expressing her satisfaction following the execution of the killers of her husband, Mahmuda Begum said, "I have been waiting for years for execution of court verdict over the murder. At last, I got the news of the killers' execution." 

On 14 June 2003, Shafi Uddin was shot dead by some miscreants – including Shipon and Naimul – at his residence in North Ambagan Railway Quarters of Khulshi in Chattogram.

Mahmuda Begum, the wife of the victim, filed a murder case with Khulshi Police station against 13 people, including Shipon and Naimul.

They were both followers of Awami League leader and former Pahartoli Ward councillor Mohammad Hossian Hiron. 

On 25 November 2004, the Chattogram Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal sentenced Shipon and Naimul to death, and seven to life imprisonment.

However, four other accused in the case – including Hiron and his son – were acquitted due to lack of evidence.

Md Asadur Rahman, the jailer at Cumilla Central Jail, said, "Both accused had appealed to the appellate division against the death sentence. Later, the apex court upheld their death sentence, rejecting their appeal.  On 16 December 2021, the letter of the Supreme Court verdict reached Cumilla jail. Then, their families filed pleas, seeking presidential mercy, but both were also rejected. Finally, the convicts were hanged on Tuesday night."