Court defers verdict in Abrar killing case to December 8

Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 on Sunday deferred the date of announcement of verdict in Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology student Abrar Fahad killing case to December 8.

The Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 chair, Abu Zafar Md Kamaruzzaman, set the new date.

All the arrested accused were present at the court.

On November 14, the tribunal chair Abu Zafar Md Kamaruzzaman set November 28 for delivering the verdict after both prosecution and defence lawyer concluded their final arguments in the case in the presence of 22 accused out of 25 on the dock.

All 25 accused in the case are reportedly leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student front of the ruling Awami League.

The tribunal on September 8 charged afresh the accused in the case and recorded testimonies of 46 out of total 60 prosecution witnesses.

Abrar was beaten to death at university dormitory on October 7, 2019 by the leaders and activists of the then BUET unit Chhatra League reportedly over his posts on Facebook criticising the government’s deals with India.

The killing triggered nationwide protests.

On November 13, 2019, the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s Court took cognisance of the charge sheet filed by the Detective Branch against 25 BCL leaders and activists.

The case was later transferred to the speedy trial tribunal following a plea of Abrar’s father and complainant Barkat Ullah.

On September 15, 2020, the tribunal framed charges against all 25 accused — 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,  ASM Nazmus Sadat, Istiak Ahammed Munna, Amit Saha, Md Mizanur Rahman alias Mizan, Shamsul Arefin Rafat, SM Mahmud Setu, Morsheduzzaman Jisan, Ehteshamul Rabbi Tanim, Morshed Amatya Islam and Mostaba Rafid.

Of them, Jisan, Rafid and Tanim are yet to be arrested and their trials are held in absentia.

Of the 25 accused, 11 took part in the murder directly and the others assisted or were present during the killing, prosecutors said.

Of the arrested, eight gave confessional statements before the court.

The charges were reframed by the tribunal almost a year after the framing of the original charges as some flaws, including the place of occurrence, were noticed in them, additional prosecutor Abdullah.

One of the defence counsel Faruque Ahmed said they were seeking justice for their clients.

Abrar, 22, was beaten and dumped on the first-floor stairs of Sher-e-Bangla Hall and the physician of the dormitory found him dead.

Abrar’s father filed the case with the Chawkbazar police station against 19 students.

The police arrested 22 suspects from the BUET hall and other places and launched the investigation.

News Courtesy:

https://www.newagebd.net/article/155921/court-defers-verdict-in-abrar-killing-case-to-december-8