Shawdesh desk:

A tribunal in Dhaka has started recording statements of witnesses in a murder case filed over death of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) student Abrar Fahad.

Earlier on September 15, Judge Abu Zafar Md Kamruzzaman of Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 framed charges against all 25 accused in the case and set today for starting to record testimonies of the prosecution witnesses.

Twenty-two accused, who were in the dock, pleaded not guilty and demanded justice when the court read out the charges against them.

The indicted 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.

All the accused were leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) of BUET unit.

Of the accused, 22 are in jail and three others remained fugitive. The fugitives are Mostaba Rafid, Morsheduzzaman Jisan and Ehteshamul Rabbi Tanim.

Abrar, 22, a second-year student of EEE department, was allegedly beaten to death by some BCL men at his residential Sher-e-Bangla hall in the early hours of October 7, 2019.

Abrar’s father Barkatullah filed a murder case with Chawkbazar Police Station in the capital against 19 BCL leaders of BUET unit.

On November 13, 2019, Detective Branch of police submitted a charge sheet, accusing 25 Buet students on charges of killing Abrar.

According to the charge sheet, 11 accused directly took part in the gruesome murder and the others played role in committing it.

Eight of the 22 arrestees gave statements to the court, confessing their involvement in the killing.

The sensational murder case was later transferred to Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 following a petition submitted by Abrar’s father for quick trial.

The murder triggered a firestorm of protests on campuses and in streets across the country.

Amid widespread protests, Buet authorities banned all political activities on the campus and suspended 19 students accused in the murder case.