Taqi would have turned 30 today, but his age remains frozen at 17
12 years on, Taqi’s family still awaits justice
Today marks the 30th birthday of Tanvir Muhammad Taqi, the bright Narayanganj teenager whose brutal murder in 2013 remains unresolved after 12 long years.
Taqi's age has stood still at 17 years and five months, the age at which his mutilated body was found floating in the Kumudini Canal near the Shitalakshya River on 8 March 2013, two days after he went missing.
Despite repeated pledges from successive governments, the charge sheet in his murder case has yet to be submitted.
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"For the past 11 years, the murder case proceedings were stopped by the directives of Sheikh Hasina. After the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August last year, we were hopeful that the case would pick up speed again," said his father, Rafiur Rabbi, who continues to lead a relentless campaign for justice.
"Six new arrests have been made, and one person has given a confessional statement. However, shortly after, the progress of the case seemed to slow down once more. We hope the investigating agency will quickly submit the charge sheet and help move the trial forward," he added.
The case, widely known as the Taqi Murder Case, shocked the nation.
Taqi was killed at Azmery Osman's Winner Fashion office: Accused gives confessional statement
In 2013, an accused, Sultan Shawkat Bhromor, confessed under Section 164 that Taqi had been abducted and murdered on the orders of Azmeri Osman, nephew of former ruling party lawmaker Shamim Osman.
The following year, then-Additional Director General of RAB, Ziaul Ahsan, publicly announced that a draft charge sheet had been prepared and that legal proceedings would begin soon. But a decade later, justice has yet to take its course.
After 5 August 2024, several suspects were again arrested in connection with the case, including Abdullah Al Mamun, Shafayet Hossain Shipon, Iyar Mohammad Parvez, Mamun Mia, and Azmeri Osman's driver, Jamshed Sheikh. However, the trial remains stalled.
While one person has given a fresh confessional statement, progress remains slow.
Their lawyer, Pradip Ghosh Babu, noted that hearing dates have been set 81 times without substantial action.
"We urged the interim government to prioritise this case … but the charge sheet has not been submitted yet," he said.
RAB-11 has recently revisited sites linked to the murder - including the former "torture cell" office of Azmery Osman and the canal where Taqi's body was dumped - accompanied by accused Shafayet Shipon.
RAB officials also announced five new arrests.
"As soon as the investigation is complete, the charge sheet will be submitted to the court," said RAB-11 Commander Lt Col Tanvir Mahmud Pasha, adding that earlier investigators have been replaced and fresh information is being collected from local residents.
Taqi, a student of A-Level, was known for his brilliance and compassion. On the day he went missing, 6 March 2013, his A-Level results were published, showing near-perfect scores: 297 out of 300 in Physics and 294 in Chemistry.
For the last 12 years, Taqi's family and supporters have observed a candlelight vigil on the 8th of every month through the platform Taqi Mancha for the Eradication of Terrorism, demanding justice and accountability.
Twelve years later, their cry still echoes, a haunting reminder of a promise of justice yet to be fulfilled.
