Ershad of Khulna who came to limelight through his gruesome murders, many in public, stands accused in 21 more murder cases.

The Appellate Division yesterday upheld the lower court's judgement in the murder of a Jubo League leader in Khulna, Khalid Hossain. The High Court confirmed the lower court's verdict on January 28 this year.

Ershad also has six death penalties in as many cases.

On May 15, 1999, Ershad Sikdar and his accomplices killed Khalid at the ice factory in Khulna.

Ershad can still file a review of the Appellate Division's verdict, said his lawyers. In case the review petition is rejected, he can file a mercy petition with the president.

In the Khalid murder case, two of Ershad's accomplices -- Jamai Faruk and Liakat Laskar -- were given seven years in prison. The Appellate Division also upheld the penalty against them.

Advocates Abdul Malek and Khandakar Mahbub Hossain moved the petition for Ershad Sikdar, while Deputy Attorney General Abdur Rezzak Khan and Helal Uddin Molla represented the government.