Rajshahi: In a retrial, a tribunal on Wednesday commuted the death sentence of two members of banned Islamist organisation Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) to life imprisonment in a case filed for killing Rajshahi University teacher Professor Yunus in 2004.

Rajshahi Speedy Trial Tribunal Judge Golam Ahmed Khalilur Rahman passed the judgment against Shafiullah alias Tarek alias Abul Kalam of Itagachha upazila in Satkhira and Shahidullah alias Mahbub, son of Hazi Abdus Sattar of Naogaon, who were earlier condemned to death for the killing.

The tribunal also fined them Tk 5,000 each, in default, to suffer one year more in rigorous imprisonment.

According to the prosecution, Yunus, a teacher of Rajshahi University Economics Department, was stabbed to death by the convicts on 24 December 2004.

Victim’s brother Abdul Halim filed a case with Motihar Police Station on that day.

Police submitted charge sheet against eight people on 10 September 2007.

Later, the case was shifted to the Speedy Trial Tribunal on 25 August 2009.

On 28 January 2010, the tribunal sentenced the two JMB men to death for the murder and acquitted six others as allegations brought against them were not proved.

Meanwhile, the two condemned convicts filed appeals with the High Court challenging the lower court judgment.

The High Court sent the case to the Rajshahi Speedy Trial Tribunal ordering retrial.