Bangladeshi Man Sentenced to Life in Prison, Ordered to Pay MVR 1 Million in Blood Money

The Criminal Court has sentenced a Bangladeshi national to life imprisonment and ordered him to pay MVR 1 million in blood money following his conviction for the intentional murder of a compatriot six years ago on Th. Guraidhoo.

The defendant, Babul Mia, was found guilty of fatally stabbing Shah Alam Mia with a sharp object near his residence in the island’s industrial area in 2020. According to police statements made during the investigation, the killing followed an altercation between the two men.

After determining that the prosecution had proven the charge of intentional murder, the court sought the views of Shah Alam Mia’s legal heirs regarding the applicable penalty. The victim’s family told the court that they wanted blood money.

In its verdict handed down yesterday, the Criminal Court sentenced Babul to life imprisonment and ordered him to pay MVR 1 million in blood money to Shah Alam Mia’s heirs. The court also ordered him to fast for two consecutive months as religious penance.

The court noted that the time Babul has already spent in remand will be deducted from his sentence, leaving 18 years, 8 months, and 19 days remaining for him to serve.