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Woman murdered in Nilphamari: SC commutes death sentence of husband

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The Supreme Court today commuted punishment of a death row convict — Swapon Kumar Biswas of Syedpur in Nilphamari — to life imprisonment in a case filed over killing his wife Swapna Ghosh in 2006.

The Appellate Division of the SC also said Swapon will get the benefit of section 35(A) of the Code of Criminal Procedure in calculation of his sentence.

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Following the apex court verdict, Swapon has to serve 22 years and six months in jail. But he has already been in jail for 16 years. Therefore, he will have to serve six and half years more in jail, Mohammad Shishir Manir, a lawyer for Sawpon, told The Daily Star.

The jail authorities concerned will shift Swapon to a normal cell from the condemn cell of Kashimpur jail after receiving the SC order, lawyer Manir said.

A full bench of the Appellate Division headed by the Chief Justice delivered the verdict after hearing an appeal filed by Swapon, challenging the High Court judgement that confirmed his death sentence in the case.

Lawyers Khandker Mahbub Hossain and Mohammad Shishir Manir fought the legal battle pro bono (free of cost) on behalf of Swapon after he sent a letter to Khandker Mahbub through jail authorities.

Today, the apex court appreciated Khandker Mahbub for providing pro bono legal assistance to Swapon.

Additional Attorney General SK Md Morshed opposed the appeal of Swapon.

As per case statement, Swapon killed his wife Swapna Ghosh over domestic dispute on October 16, 2006.

The lower court concerned sentenced Swapon to death on November 18, 2008 and the HC confirmed his death sentence on April 9, 2014 in the case.