Dhaka, May 13 (V7N) – The High Court has commuted the death sentences of Maulana Tajuddin and Jewel, previously convicted in the Ramna Batamul New Year’s Eve bombing case, to life imprisonment. In addition, six other convicts who were also on death row have had their sentences reduced to 10 years in prison and a fine of Tk 50,000 each. The remaining three convicts were also sentenced to 10 years in jail.

The verdict was announced on Tuesday (May 13) by a High Court bench comprising Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice Nasrin Akhter.

State counsel Sultana Akhter Ruby stated that the bombing was a crime against humanity, while the court in its observation described it as an attack on cultural rights of the people of Bangladesh.

Defense lawyer Shishir Monir criticized the ruling, alleging that it was not based on evidence but rather on moral considerations.

The tragic incident occurred on April 14, 2001, when a bomb exploded during the Bengali New Year celebrations at Ramna Batamul, killing 10 people and injuring several others. Nine people died on the spot, and one succumbed to injuries later. A case was filed with Ramna Police Station in the aftermath of the attack, leading to years of investigation and legal proceedings.

This verdict marks a significant development in one of the country’s most high-profile cases involving terrorism and cultural violence.

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