College student murdered after being thrown into lift shaft

A 17-year-old college student, identified as Ashfaq Kabir Sajid, has been allegedly killed after being assaulted and thrown into a lift shaft from the eighth floor of an under-construction building in the city of Chattogram. The incident occurred on Sunday night in the DC Road area under Chakbazar Police Station, inside a construction site located in the Mousumi Residential area.

According to the case statement filed by the victim’s father, Abul Hashem Sikder, at Chakbazar Police Station on Tuesday, seven individuals have been named in the case. Police have so far arrested one security guard, Enamul Haque, in connection with the incident.

The deceased, Ashfaq Kabir Sajid, was a first-year student at BAF Shaheen College, Chattogram. He originally hailed from Chakaria upazila in Cox’s Bazar district and had been residing in a rented accommodation near the Bakalia DC Road cemetery in the city.

Sequence of events as stated in the FIR

The First Information Report (FIR) outlines that on the afternoon of the incident, Ashfaq received a phone call from his acquaintance Fardin Hasan, who asked him to come to the Mousumi Residential area near Bakalia Access Road. Upon arrival, Ashfaq was reportedly confronted by a group of youths identified as Iman, Anik, Rana Michael, Ilias, Enayet Ullah, and Miskatul Qayes, along with others. They allegedly threatened him with sharp weapons and forcibly took him away.

In an attempt to escape, Ashfaq entered a nearby under-construction building and locked the gate from inside before running up to the eighth floor. However, the attackers allegedly forced their way in after the building’s security guard, Enamul Haque, opened the gate. The group then reached the upper floors, where Ashfaq was beaten. He was subsequently thrown into the lift shaft from the eighth floor, according to the complaint.

Legal action and investigation status

Ashfaq was taken to hospital in critical condition, where attending doctors declared him dead. Police have confirmed that investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest the remaining suspects and to determine the exact motive behind the killing. Authorities are also examining whether the incident is linked to rivalry involving youth groups.

Ashfaq’s father, Abul Hashem Sikder, has demanded a thorough investigation and exemplary punishment for those responsible, stating that his son was not involved in any political activity.

Police officials stated that further arrests are expected as the investigation continues.