The convicts are Mohammad Badiul, Mohammad Saidul and Mohammad Adel.

Saidul and Adel were present in the court yesterday, while Badiul is absconding.

The convicts can file an appeal with the higher court against the judgement within seven days from the date of its delivery.

Judge Abu Hanif of the Speedy Trial Tribunal-3, Dhaka Division, delivered the verdict at a crowded courtroom.

The prosecution story in brief is that Imon and Iran, workers at a shoe factory at 90, Abdul Aziz Lane in the city's Lalbagh area, were sleeping after work on April 8 last year. At about 5:00 in the morning, Badiul, Saidul and Adel entered the factory, beat up the victims, tied their hands and legs, poured petrol on them and set them afire. They left the place after locking the factory door.

The victims were rescued in critical condition and rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where they succumbed to their injuries on April 10, 2002, the FIR alleged.

Iran gave a dying declaration to a magistrate saying that Lalbagh police had arrested Shafiq, a known criminal of Lalbagh area, 10 days before the incident took place. Shafiq thought Iran and his colleagues assisted police in the arrest. The attack might have been a sequel to the incident, Iran told the magistrate.

Anwar Hossain, Imon's brother, filed the murder case with Lalbagh Police Station, accusing Badiul, Saidul and Adel, on April 10, 2002.