Hearing on charge framing in Abrar murder case deferred to Sep 9
The prosecution says there are enough elements available for charge framing in the Buet student murder case
A Dhaka court has set September 9 to hold a hearing on the indictment of 25 suspects in the murder of Buet student Abrar Fahad.
Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 Judge Abu Jafar Md Kamaruzzaman set the date after a partial hearing Wednesday.
Prosecution lawyers Mosharraf Hossain Kazol, Ehsanul Haque Shomaji and Advocate Mohammad Abu Abdullah took part in it.
Kazol said, "What the accused did is very upsetting. They bludgeoned Abrar to death in the name of quizzing [over his alleged connection with Jamaat's student front Shibir]. They even did not give him water when dying Abrar wanted to drink."
"What the nation would expect from them [the murderers]? Abrar's parents are waiting for justice. May the culprits be brought to book," he added.
Abrar, a second-year student of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet), was found dead in his dormitory in the early hours of October 6, 2019.
He was allegedly beaten to death by members of the Bangladesh Chhatra League's Buet unit for a Facebook post he made criticising a government deal with India.
Ehsanul Haque Shomaji said, "The allegation is grievous. The accused mercilessly beat him to death. This is not only a pre-meditated brutal murder but also a heinous crime. There are enough elements available for the charge framing."
Meanwhile, the defence lawyer for 13 accused took part in hearing seeking their release. However, the hearing for other nine accused did not take place Wednesday, and the court, therefore, deferred the indictment hearing to September 9.
On March 22, the same court set April 6 for the indictment hearing in the case. After the prolonged virus shutdown, August 9 was fixed as a new date. Among the 25 accused, 22 are in jail while three being on the run. Eight of the accused have already given confessional statements.
After the death of the Buet student, his father Barkatullah filed a case with Dhaka's Chawkbazar Police Station on October 7.
Police's Detective Branch Inspector Wahiduzzaman submitted a charge sheet to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court against 25 suspects on November 13 after five weeks of investigation.