District sessions judge Mizanur Rahman Khan delivered the verdict on Tuesday noon, said State counsel Sheikh Mohammad Ali.

He said the court also slapped convict Md Nuruzzaman, of Rampal Upazila, with a Tk 20,000 fine. He will have to spend extra six months in jail if he fails to pay the fine.

Nuruzzaman, however, has gone into hiding after jumping the bail he had secured during case proceedings.

According to case details, Nuruzzaman and three others shot dead former Mongla Municipal councillor and Municipal Juba Dal secretary Abdul Halim Talukder behind Rimjhim Cinema Hall on Dec 15, 2003.

Locals had caught him with a gun and bullets and handed him to police.

The next day, the victim’s brother Mozammel Hossain started the murder case with Mongla police.

Police submitted the chargesheet on May 18, 2008 against 11 people.

The court recorded statements of 10 witnesses.