Dipangkar Ghosh Anik and Khairul Kabir, both students Shahjalal University of Science and Technology in northern city of Sylhet, were murdered in 2011.
Guljar Mia, Chhoeel Mia, Shahin Ahmad, Laal Mia, Saeem Mia, Jalal Mia, Rakib Ahmad, Abdullah and Selim Mia were today handed the sentence by Sylhet Speedy Trial Tribunal Judge Dilip Kumar Debnath.
Defence counsel Nasiruzzaman Nazim said they would appeal against the verdict.
On December 16, 2011, six students went on a boat-ride at the Chengerkhaal lake of Sylhet. Some goons soon started chasing and stopped their boat.
Police recovered their bodies from the lake the next day.
The investigating officer submitted a chargesheet in the court of Sylhet's Chief Judicial Magistrate accusing nine for the killings in last March, 2012 and charges were framed on February 25.