Sheikh Jahangir Hossain, judge of the Speedy Trial Tribunal-2, handed down the judgement in a crowded courtroom in presence of the convict Kamal Pasha while the rest one Rashed Mostafa, who was on bail, has now been absconding.

The court also acquitted seven others from the case, as allegations brought against them were not proved.

The prosecution story in brief is that Ashik Iqbal, a contractor of the PG Hospital, was shot dead by top criminal Kamal Pasha and some others in front of the hospital in broad day light on May 22, 1997.

After killing Ashik, Kamal Pasha and his accomplice Rashed Mostafa Ratan left the place towards Farmgate in a baby taxi. The on- duty policemen intercepted their vehicle at Sonargaon crossing and caught both of them red handed with three sophisticated pistols and 22 bullets from their possession.

Soon after their arrest, sergeant Abdul Jalil filed a case with Tejgaon thana while another case was filed with Ramna thana by the victim's father-in-law Abdul Mannan accusing three persons including Kamal Pasha, Ratan and Pichchi Helal.

The detective branch of police submitted a charge sheet against Kamal Pasha, Ratan and Pichchi Helal in a firearm case to a CMM court on August 21, 1998. In the same year on October 10, police also submitted charge sheet in a murder case accusing nine persons including Kamal Pasha of killing Ashik Iqbal.

Both the cases were transferred to the Speedy Trial Tribunal-2 for quick disposal.

After examining 13 witnesses and a number of evidences in the arms case, the tribunal sentenced Kamal Pasha and Rashed Mostafa Ratan to 30 years rigorous imprisonment each but acquitted the other accused.

In the Ashik murder case, the tribunal sentenced both of them to death after examining 23 witnesses and a number of evidences of the case.

Advocate Abdur Rashid and Abdul Wadud appeared for the defendants while Special Public Prosecutor Advocate Mainuddin Ahmed stood for the state.

Kamal Pasha, one of the top 23 criminals wanted by police for a long time, was arrested last year for his alleged links with five gruesome killings in the city, including the sensational Ashik murder.

Earlier, Kamal Pasha got death penalty by the third additional metropolitan sessions judge here on July 3 this year for killing two brothers in broad day light in the city's Mohammadpur area on May 5, 2000.

The five killing incidents, in which Kamal Pasha is involved are: Ashik murder in front of PG Hospital at Shahbagh in May, 1997, Mamun-Shamim murder at Agargaon in April, 1997, Tarajuddin murder in Uttara in 2000, Rebel-Juwel murder in May, 2000 at Mohammadpur and cellular telephone dealer Shipu murder in Banani in 2001.