Rifat murder case: Verdict on juvenile accused Tuesday

A court in Barguna is set to deliver verdict tomorrow (October 27) against juvenile accused in the sensational Rifat Sharif murder case.

Judge Hafizur Rahman of juvenile court fixed October 27 for pronouncing verdict in the case on completion of arguments on October 14.

The court set the date for the announcement of verdict after testifying 74 witnesses in 43 working days and completion of arguments.

Juvenile accused are Rashidul Hasan Rishan (17+), Rakibul Hasan Rifat Hawlader (15+), Abu Abdullah Raihan (16+), Oliullah Oli (16+), Joy Chandra Sarker Chandan (17+), Nayeem (17+), Tanvir Hossain (17+), Nazmul Hasan (14+), Rakibul Hasan Niyamot (15+), Md Syed Maruf Billah (Mohibullah), Maruf Mollik (17+), Prince Mollah (15+), Ratul Sikdar (14+) and Ariyan Srabon (16+).

Earlier on September 30, the Barguna court sentenced six people including Ayesha Siddika Minni, wife of Rifat Sharif, to death in Rifat Sharif murder case.

The other condemned convicts are Rakibul Hasan alias Rifat Farazi, Abdul Kaiyum alias Rabbi Akon, Mohaiminul Islam Sifat, Rezwanul Khan alias Tiktok Ridoy and Md Hasan.

They were also fined Tk 50,000 each.

The court acquitted four accused -- Rafiul Islam Rabbi, Mohammad Sagor, Kamrul Islam Saimum and Md Musa -- as they were found innocent in the murder case.

Meanwhile, the trial of 14 other accused is going on in the Barguna Children's Court as they are juveniles.

According to court sources, 74 witnesses testified against the 10 accused. The prosecution and defence then placed their arguments in the court for and against the accused.

On September 1 last year, police submitted separate charge sheets to the court, accusing 10 adults and 14 juveniles.