The Seventh Additional District and Sessions Judge Shamsul Hoque gave the verdict in absentia yesterday in a crowded court room in Dhaka as all the convicts are absconding.

The judge pronounced that the punishment of the convicts would take effect from the date of their surrender or arrest.

The convicts, Abdul Wahab and Premananda Majumder, were given death penalty whereas Bhalobasha Majumder and Nityananda Majumder were given life imprisonment and a fine of Tk 5000 each or six months more in jail in default.

Minoy Chandra Majumder, a class five student of Berosh Primary School at Dhamrai was kidnapped on the way to his school on March 23, 1995. Failing to get the ransom of Tk 50,000, the kidnappers murdered him after five days.

The victim's father lodged an abduction and murder case against the four with Demra Police Station on March 27, 1995 after he found his son's mutilated body on the day.

The investigation officer of the case submitted a charge sheet against the four on July 19, 1998.

Eight out of 16 prosecution witnesses were cross-examined during the trial that ended on July 28 this year.