Those who were acquitted included former joint convener of Sherpur district BNP, Fazlul Haque Badsha, former president of Sherpur city BNP, Saiful Islam Sawpan, Sherpur district Jubo Dal president Awal Chowdhury, and its general secretary Uzzal Sarkar, BNP leader Motaleb Hossain, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) leaders Ariful Haque Mithu, Jitendra Mazumdar, Emdadul Haque Bipu, Noor-e-Alam, Mosharaf Hossain, Tota Miah and Mohammad Kamal.

Sherpur district BCL treasurer Abdur Rashid was shot dead by BNP district unit president Advocate Habibur Rahman during a procession on February 26, 1996. The procession was brought out protesting the February 15 controversial elections in 1996.

After the incident, the killer's grand son Mohammad Sumon was killed by angry people.

Slain BCL leader's father Mohammad Ali filed a murder case accusing 16 BNP men including Advocate Habibur Rahman as the prime accused. But the prime accused died while the trial was going on.

The court in its judgment delivered on Thursday dismissed the case terming it 'witness-proof less'.

Additional District and Sessions Judge, Sherpur Mohammad Nababur Rahman delivered the judgment.

Last month, the court acquitted all the accused in Sumon murder case showing the same reason.