A special tribunal in Dhaka on Sunday set 27 June for start recording the depositions of defence witnesses in a case lodged over the murder of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) student Abrar Fahad, reports BSS.
Judge Abu Zafar Md Kamaruzzaman of Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 passed the order Sunday morning as normal trial proceedings with physical appearance started at the subordinate courts and tribunals across the country after a long gap
“The normal activities of the lower courts were off for long to halt the transmission of coronavirus. Following an order of the apex court, the normal proceedings of the lower court have started from today (Sunday) and the concerned tribunal set 27 June for recording depositions of the defence witnesses,” prosecutor Abu Abdullah Bhuiyan said.
A total 46 out of 60 prosecution witnesses have testified in the sensational case.
Earlier on 13 November, 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 tribunal on 15 September, 2020, framed charges against all 25 accused in the case.
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 6.30am on 7 October, 2019.
Abrar’s father filed the case with Chawkbazar police station against 19.