Shah Alom's Death: Perpetrator Sentenced to Life Imprisonment as Family Declines Death Penalty

The Criminal Court on Wednesday held a sentencing hearing regarding the fatal stabbing of an expatriate in Guraidhoo.

This hearing was convened to deliver the verdict in the case. The presiding judge at the Criminal Court, Judge Muzammil Nasir, ruled that the charges against the defendant had been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

During Wednesday's hearing, the presiding judge stated that Shah Alom's legal heirs consist of his four daughters, his wife, and his three elder brothers.

When contacted for their statements, all the legal heirs stated that they do not wish to seek the death penalty (retribution in kind) and instead requested the payment of blood money.

Consequently, after granting both the prosecution and the defense the opportunity to present their arguments regarding the sentencing, the presiding judge sentenced him to life imprisonment and ordered the payment of 1 million Rufiyaa as blood money. After deducting the time already served in pre-trial detention, he is required to serve a remaining prison term of 18 years.

Furthermore, the court ordered the defendant to fast for 60 consecutive days as an act of penance for the crime.

The defendant in this case has been identified as Babul Mia, a Bangladeshi national. He has been charged with intentional homicide using a sharp object, an offense that carries the death penalty.

According to the charges filed against him, he attacked Shah Alam, a Bangladeshi national, with a machete, inflicting injuries to his neck, chest, spine, and back. The incident occurred during the early hours of May 21, 2020.

Although he admitted to the act, he maintains that he acted in self-defense. He has provided these details to the police during the investigation.