District and Sessions Judge Syed Ishtiaque Hussein handed down the verdict on Ajmal, Helal and Shailen. All of them were tried in absentia.

However, six other accused were acquitted as the charges brought against them were not be proved. They are Monirul Islam, Ajit, Habi Shaikh, Zakir, Kaizer and Gazi Kamrul, a ringleader of Biplobi Communist Party.

According to the prosecution story, Ayub Ali, a shrimp trader, was gunned down on September 25 in 1995 at Arhonghata under Daulatpur thana of the city.

His mother Amina Begum lodged an FIR with Daulatpur thana the following day accusing nine people, including seven outlaws.

SI Sohrab Ali submitted charge sheet against all the accused on February 29, 1996.

Twenty prosecution witnesses were examined during the trial.