In a case involving the murder of college student Ashik Islam during a clash over firecrackers in Rajshahi’s Charghat Upazila, a court has sentenced three individuals to life imprisonment with hard labor. The verdict was announced on Monday (July 21, 2025) afternoon by Rajshahi Speedy Trial Tribunal Judge Md. Mahiduzzaman. Public Prosecutor Munshi Abul Kalam Azad confirmed the details of the verdict.The convicted individuals are Ashik Ali, his father Kalam Ali, and his elder brother Arif Ali, all residents of Dalipara Chandanshahar village in Charghat Upazila. Each was fined 20,000 taka, with an additional six months of imprisonment in case of non-payment.
According to the case details, on the eve of Eid in July 2021, around 8:00 PM, Ashik Islam and his friends went to Kankramari Bazar to buy firecrackers. On their way back, they encountered Ashik Ali, who playfully snatched three firecrackers from them and fled. Around 10:00 PM, Ashik Islam and his friends went to Ashik Ali’s house to retrieve the firecrackers. This led to a verbal altercation that escalated into a physical clash between Ashik Islam’s group and Ashik Ali’s family. During the confrontation, both Ashik Islam and Ashik Ali were injured. Ashik Islam succumbed to his injuries while being taken to the hospital.
Following the incident, Ashik Islam’s father filed a case at Charghat Police Station. Public Prosecutor Munshi Abul Kalam Azad stated that Ashik Ali’s mother, Arifa Begum, was acquitted in the case. The convicted individuals were present in court during the verdict and were subsequently sent to prison.
