RAJSHAHI, Feb 24: In a revision trial, a special court on Wednesday commuted the death sentence of two operatives of banned militant outfit Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) to life term imprisonment and fined Tk 5,000 each for killing of Rajshahi University teacher Prof Mohammad Yunus in 2004.
Judge Golam Ahmed Khalilur Rahman of Rajshahi Speedy Trial Tribunal passed the order in presence of the accused, said public prosecutor Emtajul Haque.
The convicts were identified Shofiulla alias Tarique alias Abul Kalam, son of Abdur Rahman Master, resident of Itgachha village of Satkhira district and Shahidullah alias Mahbub, son of Abdus Sattar, resident of Sarakadanga village of Naogaon district.
Mohammad Yunus, Professor of RU Economics Department, was hacked to death with sharp weapons by the convicted duo while he was on his morning walk in Binodpur on December 24, 2004.
Shahidullah is also son-in-law to Rafiqul Islam, elder brother to top JMB leader Siddikur Rahman alias Bangla Bhai, who was executed in 2007.    
Prof Yunus was the president of RU Bangabandhu Parishad. 
Police's Criminal Investigation Department charged eight JMB militants in 2007 in this regard.
Later Shofiullah in a testimony said that the murder was ordered by the then JMB leader Shaykh Abdur Rahman.
Court sources said that the case did not have an eyewitness but the testimonies provided by Shofiullah and Shafiullah proved their involvement in the murder.