Abrar’s murder: what happened that night

A court has brought charges against 25 defendants in the murder case of BUET student Abrar Fahad Rabbi. Of these, 22 are in jail and three are on the run. Judge Abu Jafar Mohammad Kamruzzaman of the Speedy Trial Court of Dhaka brought charges against the defendants on Tuesday afternoon. With this began the trial of the case.

On the night of October 8 last year, Abrar was beaten to death by BCL leaders and activists in a room in BUET’s Sher-e-Bangla Hall. The following day, October 7, Abrar’s father filed a murder case against 19 people at the Chawkbazar police station. Then on November 13, the investigating officer of the case Detective (DB) Police Inspector (unarmed) said. Wahiduzzaman filed a charge sheet against 25 people. The charge sheet for the case details Abrar’s murder that night. The indictment describes what happened that night:

It was 11 at night. SM Mahmud aka Setu appeared in room 1011 of BUET’s Sher-e-Bangla Hall. He wants to know about Abrar from the others present. Then Anik Sarkar, Ifti Musharraf and Mujahidul Islam said: “Abrar is not giving any information.” Mahmud, alias Setu, told the others: “Keep hitting.” Following such instructions, Ifti Musharraf and Anik Sarkar began beating Abrar with cricket stumps. He hit Abrar on the back with the elbow of his hand. Then they all started killing, hitting and slapping Abrar at random with great force. Before leaving the room, Anik Sarkar and Mehedi Hasan, aka Robin, told the others: “Get the information from Torar Abrar.”

So Moniruzzaman Monir said he got the information from the camp by checking Abrar’s mobile. Moniruzzaman then began beating Abrar with a cricket stump. Tabakhkharul, Nazmus Sadat, Ehteshamul Rabbi aka Tanim, Muntasir Al Jamie slapped Abrar. Anik Sarkar re-entered the room from outside. He picked up the cricket stump. Then Anik Sarkar hit Abrar Fahad again with 40 or 50 more hits. Then Abrar vomited and urinated. He begged to survive. In such a situation, Abrar was taken to the hall bathroom. Abrar Fahad’s clothes were changed after washing.

Nazmus Sadat, Shamim Billah, Shamsul Arefin, Akash, Moaz Abu Horairah, Muntasir Al Jamie and Ehteshamul Rabbi Abrar were arrested and transferred to room 2005 on the orders of Ifti Musharraf and Mehdi Hasan. Ifti Mosharraf called Mesboy Zahid Hasan from the living room. He cleaned room number 2011.

After taking Abrar Fahad to room number 2005, Ifti Musharraf told the others: “Now get the information from Abrar. Who is camping in BUET? So Moaz Abu Horairah and Amartya Islam saw Abrar’s dying condition and told him to Mehdi Hasan aka Robin, ‘Abrar has to be taken to hospital.’ After hearing this, Mehdi Hasan aka Robin said: ‘He’s acting. Not camp chains. It’s hard to recognize the camp.’ In the evening, Ifti Musharraf, Mujahid, Tabakhkharul and Toha placed Abrar on the second floor of the hall.

The defendants then called BUET doctors and an ambulance. The doctor examined Abrar’s body and declared him dead. After Abrar was killed, cricket stumps, mattresses, pillows and Abrar’s laptop were taken from room number 2011 in Chapati Hall to the room of BUET’s BCL Vice President Muhtasim Fuad.

According to the charge sheet, BUET Chhatra League President Mehedi Hasan aka Russell and Vice President Muhtasim Fouad assisted in committing the crime by directing the murder in different directions. Mehdi Hassan, alias Russell, lobbied the BUET doctor to remove Abrar’s body from the hall. Abrar was brutally beaten to death for false, fabricated and unsubstantiated accusations against Shibir on suspicion of being a Shibir in collusion with each other.