The convicts are Syed Obaidul Akbar, Ahmad Hossain, Mohammad Abdus Sattar, Mohamamd Dulal Mia and Mohammad Nasir Uddin -- all are cousins.

The court also acquitted two others -- Syed Mohammad Ali alias Kala Chand and Mohammad Basir Mia -- as the charges brought against them were not proved.

Judge AR Masud of the Speedy Trial Tribunal- 4 gave the verdict in a jam-packed courtroom for killing Shazedunnessa alias Sazeda, 57, her daughter and son Sabiha Begum, 28, and Mursalin alias Swapan, 20, on November 23, 1999 in the city's Lalbagh area.

Akbar, Ahmad and Sattar were present in the court, while Dulal and Nasir were tried in absentia.

The convicts can appeal to the High Court against the verdict in 30 days, the judgement said.

Earlier, the prosecution and the defence completed their arguments and the court recorded statements of 22 prosecution witnesses.

In the case filed with Lalbagh Police Station, Sazeda's son-in-law Abdul Hossain Sarder alleged Akbar along with his cousins killed the victims at any time before November 23, 1999 to usurp a piece of land.

During investigation, Akbar, prime accused in the case, gave judicial statements admitting his involvement in the killings.

CID Inspector Elias Mia pressed charges against Akbar and seven others on March 23, 2002 showing 46 people as prosecution witnesses.