A Dhaka court on Sunday handed down death sentences to five individuals and life imprisonment to four others in connection with the 2012 killing of Dr. Narayan Chandra Dutta Nitai, an assistant professor at the National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital (NIDCH) in Mohakhali.

Judge Md Rezaul Karim of Dhaka Special Judge’s Court-10 delivered the verdict in the presence of the convicts, according to state lawyer Mohammad Moazzem Hossain.

The five sentenced to death are Kamrul Hasan Arun, Dr. Nitai’s car driver; Bakul Mia; Masum Mintu (also known as Bargira Mintu); Md Hossain Miji; and Sayeed Bepari. Each has also been fined Tk10,000.

Those given life imprisonment until death are Saidul, Masum (also known as Pyada Masum), Md Abul Kalam (Picchi Kalam), and Faisal, who were also fined Tk10,000 each. Additionally, Rafiqul Islam received a life sentence.

Dr. Nitai, a leader of the pro-Awami League doctors’ forum Swadhinata Chikitshok Parishad and an executive committee member of the Bangladesh Medical Association, was fatally stabbed at his residence in the NIDCH Doctors’ Quarters in Mohakhali on 23 August 2012.

His father, Tarit Kanti Datta, filed a murder case at Banani police station the same day against unidentified individuals.