BUET student Abrar’s murder trial begins
All 25 accused are indicted for the sensational murder of Buet student Abrar Fahad
A Dhaka court on Tuesday framed charges against all 25 accused of the murder of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) student Abrar Fahad.
The formal trial of the sensational murder case began on Tuesday through the indictment at Dhaka's Speedy Trial Tribunal 1.
At the hearing, Judge Abu Zafar Mohammad Kamruzzaman rejected petitions filed for the acquittal and bail of the defendants.
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The judge fixed September 20 for taking testimony and informed the lawyers of both sides that the testimony in the case will continue to be held on every working day until October 1.
At the hearing, 22 accused, who were produced in court from jail, pleaded not guilty and sought justice from the court.
Earlier on September 9, the state and the accused's lawyers concluded the hearing in the tribunal.
Abrar Fahad was called by some leaders and activists of the Buet chapter of Chhatra League, a student organisation backed by the ruling Awami League, on the night of October 6, 2019–for writing a status on Facebook criticising the government.
Abrar, a second-year student of electrical and electronic engineering, was found dead in his dormitory at the university in the early hours of October 6, 2019.
On October 7, his father Barkatullah filed a case with Dhaka's Chawkbazar Police Station against 19 people.
On November 13, 2019, Detective Branch of police submitted a charge sheet against 25 people in the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate's Court.
Six of the accused were included in the case after investigators found evidence of their involvement in the murder.
Sixteen of the 19 accused and five of the six others whose names were not mentioned in the case statement have been arrested.
Eight of the arrested have given confessional statements in court.
The arrested 22 accused are: Mehedi Hasan Russel, Anik Sarker, Ifti Mosharraf Sakal, Md Mehedi Hasan Robin, Md Meftahul Islam Jeon, Muntassir Alam Jemmy, Khandaker Tabakkharul Islam Tanvir, Md Muzahidur Rahman, Muhtasim Fuad, Md Moniruzzaman Monir, Md Akash Hossain, Hossain Mohammad Toha, Md Mazedul Islam, Shamim Billah, Moaj Abu Hurayra and ASM Nazmus Sadat, Istiak Ahammed Munna, Amit Saha, Md Mizanur Rahman alias Mizan, Shamsul Arefin Rafat, SM Mahmud Setu, and Morshed Amatya Islam.
Three accused in the case are still absconding. They are Morsheduzzaman Jisan, Ehteshamul Rabbi Tanim and Mostaba Rafid. The first two were accused in the first information report and the third was later included in the charge sheet.
