Shawdesh Desk:

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

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

After that, 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 total 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 25 accused.

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 and 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. Of these Jisan, Rafid and Tanim are yet to be arrested and are tried in absentia.

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

BUET students and the varsity authorities found the seemingly lifeless body of Abrar, 22, on 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.