Witness testimony in Abrar murder trial ends

Testimony of witnesses ended today in a case lodged over the murder of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) student Abrar Fahad.

Today, the defence concluded the cross-examination of investigation officer (IO) and last prosecution witness (PW) DB inspector Wahiduzzaman.

Judge Abu Zafar Md Kamaruzzaman of Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 set March 14 for defence to submit their statement in self-defence.

Out of a total of 60 prosecution witnesses, 46 testified in the case.

The tribunal on September 15, 2020, framed charges against all 25 accused in the sensational murder case.

Earlier on November 13, 2019, Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court took into cognizance the charge sheet in the case filed by Detective Branch (DB) of police against accused 25.

The case was later transferred to the speedy trial tribunal, allowing a plea of Abrar’s father.

The 25 accused are – 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. Among these 25, Jisan, Rafid, and Tanim are yet to be arrested. 

According to the police, of the 25 accused, 11 took part in the gruesome murder directly and the others played role in the crime one way or another. Among those 25 arrestees, eight have given confessional statements before court.

BUET students and the university authorities found the seemingly lifeless body of Abrar, 22, on the first-floor stairs of Sher-e-Bangla Hall and rushed him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where doctors declared him dead at around 6.30 am on October 7, 2019.

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