Abrar murder: 22 accused at court

Verdict in Abrar murder case is set to be delivered today, Sunday (November 28).

22 accused named in the case have been produced before Dhaka Metropolitan Session Judges Court from Keraniganj Central Jail around 9:26 am. Judge Abu Zafar Md Kamaruzzaman of Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 will pronounce the verdict around 12 pm.

Meanwhile, security measures have been beefed up in and around the court area, centring the verdict. Additional law enforcers have been deployed in the area to prevent any untoward incident.

On November 14, the tribunal set the date for delivering the verdict after completion of arguments by both the state and defendants.

Abrar, 21, a student of electrical and electronic engineering of Buet, was beaten to death by Bangladesh Chhatra League leaders at Sher-e-Bangla Hall of the university in 2019.

He was found dead on the staircase of the hall in the early hours of October 7 after he was taken to room No-2011 around 8pm on October 6 and beaten mercilessly.

On October 7, Abrar’s father Barkat Ullah filed a murder case with the Chawkbazar police station against 19 accused.

On November 13, 2019, Detective Branch (DB) Inspector and investigation officer of the case Wahiduzzaman submitted the charge sheet accusing 25 people.

All 25 accused include 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.
 
On September 15, 2020, the court framed charges against the accused.

The court recorded statements of 46 out of the 60 witnesses in the case.

On March 14 this year, the 22 accused arrested in the case claimed innocence on account of self-defence.

Three of the accused – Jishan, Rafid and Tanim – remained absconding.