The Court of the Third Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge, Dhaka handed down the verdict, but acquitted six of the charges.

The death convicts are Kuna Ripon and Mohammad Jahangir while the acquitted are Anwar Hossain, Kabi, Sona Miah, Rubel, Sohel and Mintu.

The convicts can appeal with the higher court against the verdict within seven days.

The court further directed the inspector general of police (IGP) to take necessary steps against Sub-inspector (SI) Abdul Kuddus Fakir, also the investigation officer (IO) of the case, for negligence in investigating the matter.

Both the prosecution and defence completed their arguments on September 23. Earlier, the court recorded statements of nine out of the 12 prosecution witnesses.

According to the case filed with Demra Police Station, Abdur Razzak, 28, of South Dania in Demra was chopped to death by a gang of local assailants led by Kana Ripon and Jahangir on September 12, 2000.

The victim's wife, Shahida Begum, filed a murder case accusing Kana Ripon and six others the same day.

The IO submitted pressed charges against Kana Ripon and seven others on September 28 last year.

The court framed charges against them on June 16 this year and the trial began on July 15.