5 sentenced to death for murder of Swachip leader Dr Nitai

A Dhaka court has sentenced five people to death for the murder of Dr Narayan Chandra Dutta Nitai, an Assistant Professor at the National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital and a leader of Swadhinata Chikitshak Parishad (Swachip), a pro-Awami League doctors' organization.

In addition, four others were sentenced to imprisonment until natural death, and one person received a life sentence. The verdict was delivered on Sunday (August 17) by Judge Rezaul Karim of Dhaka Special Judge Court-10.

Those sentenced to death are Kamrul Hasan Arun, Masum Mintu, Sayeed Bepari, Bakul Mia, and Sayeed Mizi. Four others—Abul Kalam, Saidul, Faisal, and Peda Masum—have been sentenced to life imprisonment until death. The accused sentenced to life imprisonment is Rafiqul Islam.

According to prosecutor Moazzem Hossain, all ten accused were brought from prison to court for the verdict and then returned to prison with warrants.

Dr. Narayan Chandra Dutta was murdered at his home in the hospital’s residential area in Mohakhali on the night of August 23, 2012. At the time, he was with his elderly mother; his wife, Laki Chowdhury, was in Chattogram. The next day, Dr. Nitai’s father filed a murder case at Banani police station.