Judge Abdus Samad handed down the verdict with eight out of the 16 accused present in the courtroom. Four of the remaining eight are on bail with three others absconding and one of the accused died last year.

The case was transferred to the Speedy Trial Tribunal of Khulna on September 14 from the court of Kabita Khanom, additional district and sessions judge, Khulna. The verdict was delivered after fifteen prosecution witnesses had been examined.

All the acquitted are leaders of the outlawed New Biplobi Communist Party (NBCP). The acquitted also include the founder of NBCP Monoranjon Goshai alies Mrinal who was killed by his rivals last year at Nadia district of West Bengal in India.

Mohammod Nahor Ali, crime reporter of Dainik Anirban of Khulna, was abducted at arms point on the night of April 18, 2001 from his home at Shovna village in Dumuria upazila.

Severely injured Nahor was found unconscious on the road near his home in the early hours of April 19. The journalist succumbed to his injuries on April 21 while undergoing treatment in Khulna Medical College Hospital.

Sub-inspector (SI) Golam Rasul, as complainant, filed a case with Dumuria Police Station on April 19. Charge sheet of the case was submitted on February 7, 2002.

The judge in the verdict said the accused have been acquitted as their guilt was not proved.