Abrar Murder: HC Upholds Death Sentences for 20, Father Demands Swift Justice

The High Court of Bangladesh has upheld the death sentences of 20 individuals and life imprisonment for five others in the brutal murder of BUET student Abrar Fahad. 

The verdict was delivered today by a High Court bench comprising Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice Syed Enayet Hossain.

On October 7, 2019, Abrar, a second-year student of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), was beaten to death by a group of Chhatra League activists in a dormitory. His death sparked nationwide outrage. Following the incident, Abrar’s father, Barkat Ullah, filed a murder case with Chawkbazar Police Station, demanding justice for his son.

The investigation led to the charge sheet submission on November 13, 2019, implicating 25 BUET students. The Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 delivered its verdict on December 8, 2021, sentencing 20 individuals to death and five to life imprisonment. As per legal procedure, the trial court’s death sentences required High Court approval, leading to today’s final verdict.

The 20 given death sentence are: former general secretary of the banned Chhatra League's BUET unit Mehedi Hasan Russel; ex-organising secretary Mehedi Hasan Robin alias Shanto; ex-information and research secretary Anik Sarkar Apu; ex-literature secretary Moniruzzaman Monir; ex-sports secretary Meftahul Islam Zion; ex-deputy social welfare secretary Ifti Mosharraf Shokal; ex-deputy office secretary Mustaba Rafid; former members Mujahidur Rahman Mujahid, Muntasir Al Jemi and Ehtashamul Rabbi Tanim; activists Khandaker Tabakkarul Islam Tanvir, ASM Nazmus Sadat, Majedur Rahman alias Majed, Hossain Mohammad Toha, Shamim Billah, Mizanur Rahman Mizan, SM Mahmud Setu, Shamsul Arefin Rafat, Muhammad Morshed-Uz-Zaman Mondol alias Jishan and Morshed Amartya Islam.

Buet BCL's former vice-president Muhtasim Fuad, former library and publication secretary Ishtiaq Ahmed Munna, former deputy legal affairs secretary Amit Saha and activists Akash Hossain and Moaz Abu Hurayra were given life term imprisonment.

Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman, along with several deputy and assistant attorneys general, represented the state, while the accused were defended by senior lawyers, including SM Shahjahan, Azizur Rahman Dulu, and Mohammad Shishir Monir.

Following the verdict, Abrar’s father expressed his satisfaction, urging swift execution of the sentence to ensure justice is fully served.

According to the charge sheet, Abrar was subjected to hours of merciless beating by fellow students who accused him of being affiliated with Chhatra Shibir. The attack, carried out inside the dormitory, was based on false allegations, ultimately leading to his tragic death.