Dhaka, Nov 19 : Bangladesh''s Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a High Court verdict that confirmed the death sentences of 12 retired and dismissed army men involved in Sheikh Mujibur Rahman assassination on August 15, 1975.

The five-member bench comprising Justice Md. Tafazzul Islam, Justice Md. Abdul Aziz, Justice BK Das, Justice Md. Muzammel Hossain, and Justice SK Sinha delivered the verdict while dismissing appeals filed by five convicts against their death sentences. In line with the apex court judgment, all 12 ex-army officers would have to walk to the gallows.

In 1998, a Dhaka court had sentenced the men to death for the killing Rahman. The five petitioned the Supreme Court to commute their sentences. Seven others who were also convicted are fugitives abroad.

Mujib was assassinated at his Dhanmondi house in a military putsch. All members of his family except his daughters Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana were killed. (ANI)