Abrar Murder Accused Muntasir Among 146 Fugitives from Kashimpur Jail

In a shocking development, Muntasir Al Jemi (26), a death row convict in the Abrar Fahad murder case, is among the 146 fugitives who escaped from Kashimpur High-Security Central Prison in Gazipur on August 6. The escape followed a massive student-people's uprising that led to chaos within the prison.

Muntasir, whose prisoner number is 5177, hails from Kendua upazila in Netrokona district. Jail Superintendent Abdullah Al Mamun confirmed that all the escaped individuals had been sentenced to either death or life imprisonment. Apart from Muntasir, none of the fugitives are linked to widely discussed criminal cases.

How the Escape Unfolded

According to police and prison authorities, a total of 199 inmates attempted to flee during the unrest. The prisoners, sentenced to severe punishments, initiated a violent riot that resulted in serious injuries to 25 to 30 prison guards.

In the midst of the turmoil, they managed to break down a section of the prison wall and used an uprooted electric pole as a makeshift ladder to scale the barrier. Prison officials attempted to control the situation per regulations, but six inmates were killed in the process.

Since the escape, authorities have captured 53 fugitives, while 146 remain at large. The jail authorities filed a case regarding the incident on August 15 at Konabari police station in Gazipur, and nationwide operations are ongoing to track down the remaining fugitives.

Abrar Fahad’s Family Raises Questions

On Monday evening, Abrar Fahad’s younger brother, Abrar Faiyaz, who is also a student of BUET, took to Facebook to express his frustration over the prison break. He questioned how a death row convict, who should have been in a condemned cell, was able to escape.

Faiyaz also highlighted concerns over the delayed disclosure of the incident, alleging that no real efforts were made to capture Muntasir. He further mentioned that three other convicts in the Abrar murder case have already gone missing.

The Abrar Fahad Murder Case

Abrar Fahad, a second-year student at BUET, was brutally beaten to death by leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Chhatra League on the night of October 7, 2019. Following an investigation, 20 BUET students were sentenced to death on December 8, 2021, while five others received life imprisonment.

Sub-inspector Rafiqul Islam, the investigating officer of the case at Kashimpur police station, assured that law enforcement agencies are continuing operations to recapture the remaining fugitives.

This high-profile escape raises serious concerns about security lapses in Bangladesh's prison system, particularly for inmates facing the death penalty.