Of the condemned convicts, 14 are now in jail while six others are absconding, sources said.

First additional district and Sessions Judge M Rezaul Karim delivered the verdict.

According to the prosecution, the convicts cut right hand, right leg and testicles of landlord and businessman Hasan Ahmed at Minjiratala under Banshkhali upazila while he was returning home by a car from his in-laws' house on June 4, 1992.

Hasan died on way to hospital.

Police gave charge sheet against 22 persons in 1993. The names of two others, including the principal accused, were dropped as they died in jail during the long-drawn trial. They were Mohammad Hasan Ali and Noor Ahmed.

The convicts in jail are Rafique Ahmed, M Abdullah, Mohsen Ahmed, Syed Ahmed, Rashid Ahmed, Siddik Ahmed, M Ismail, Dela Miah, Shafiqur Rahman, Siraj Ahmed, Siddik Ahmed, Noor Sultan, Shahabuddin and Ramij Ahmed.

The fugitives are Ali Ahmed, M Ibrahim, Hafez Ahmed, Mostak Ahmed, Syed Ahmed and Kala Miah.

There had reportedly been a long dispute between two landlords -- Hasan Ahmed and Mohammad Hasan Ali -- in the coastal upazila over land that led to the gruesome murder of the former.