A Dhaka court on Tuesday sentenced Asif Shikder to death for killing his friend Nasim Ahmad Emad Uddin, a student of Manarat International University, over a trivial dispute in the capital’s East Badda area in 2017.

Dhaka’s 7th Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Tawhida Akter pronounced the verdict and issued an arrest warrant against the convict, who is absconding.

Tanzil Hossain Bhuiyan, bench assistant of the court, confirmed the sentencing and said the convict was also fined Tk50,000.

According to the case documents, on 6 November 2017, Asif stabbed Nasim following a dispute over cricket betting where Nasim asked his friend to avoid gambling.

After being injured, Nasim ran downstairs of their home and collapsed. His family members rescued him and took him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Later, Nasim’s father, Ali Ahmad Saifuddin, filed a case with Badda Police Station.

After investigation, police submitted a charge sheet against Asif on 30 September 2018. The court framed charges against Asif and ordered the trial to begin in January the following year.

During the trial, the court recorded statements of 14 out of 20 prosecution witnesses.