The State vs. Mehedi Hasan Rasel and Others

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The State vs. Mehedi Hasan Rasel and Others
baaNlaadesh supriim kortter silmohr.svg
Court Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1, Supreme Court of Bangladesh
Decided8 December 2021
Citations 25_8783
SI 1 Death Reference 1/2022 (with)
Court membership
Judges sittingJustice A. K. M. Asaduzzaman
Justice Syed Enayet Hossain
Case opinions
The actions of the accused were premeditated and involved deliberate acts of physical assault leading to the death of Abrar Fahad. The judgment described the murder as a "heinous crime," stating that the punishment should serve as a deterrent to prevent similar incidents in the future
Keywords
Murder of Abrar Fahad

The State vs. Mehedi Hasan Rasel and Others, popularly known as the Abrar Fahad murder case was a criminal case brought before the Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 on the supervision of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh following the killing of Abrar Fahad, [1] a student at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), on October 6, 2019. The case, initiated through a murder complaint filed by Abrar’s father, charged 25 individuals associated with the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) for their roles in the crime. The prosecution alleged that Abrar was tortured to death in his dormitory room for expressing dissenting political opinions online. [2] [3]

Contents

The proceedings culminated in a judgment delivered on December 8, 2021, where the court sentenced 20 of the accused to death and imposed life imprisonment on five others. The case underscored issues of campus violence and free speech suppression, with significant public and institutional reactions, including a ban on political activities at BUET. [4]

Background

Abrar Fahad, a second-year student of electrical and electronic engineering at BUET, was killed on October 6, 2019, inside a dormitory on the university campus. Members of the BUET chapter of the Bangladesh Chhatra League, a student political organization and the student wing of the Bangladesh Awami League party, were accused of carrying out the act. [5] [6]

Abrar had posted comments on Facebook criticizing the government's agreement with India concerning water-sharing from the Feni River. According to case records, the accused interrogated and assaulted Abrar for several hours, which resulted in his death. [7]

Following the incident, law enforcement arrested 25 individuals, most of whom were students at BUET and members of the BCL. The Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 initiated the trial in November 2019.

Judgement

On December 8, 2021, the tribunal delivered its verdict, sentencing 20 individuals to death and 5 others to life imprisonment. [8] The judgment was based on evidence that included forensic reports, CCTV footage and witness testimonies. [9]

Chawkbazar Police Station Case dated October 7, 2019 [10]
SerialName of the accusedBUET identityBUET roll [11] BCL identity [12] Current status [13] Court verdict
1Mehedi Hasan RussellCivil Engineering, '13 Batch1304098General SecretaryIncarceratedSentenced to death [14] [15]
2Muhtasim Fuad HossainCivil Engineering, '14 Batch1404010Vice PresidentIncarceratedLife imprisonment [14] [15]
3Md. Anik Sarker AppuMechanical Engineering, '15 Batch1510083Information and Research SecretaryIncarceratedSentenced to death [14] [15]
4Mehedi Hasan RobinChemical Engineering, '15 Batch1502050Organizational SecretaryIncarceratedSentenced to death [14] [15]
5Ifti Mosharraf SokalBiomedical Engineering, '16 Batch1618027Assistant Social Welfare SecretaryIncarceratedSentenced to death [14] [15]
6Md. Moniruzzaman MonirWater Resources Engineering, '16 Batch1616028Literary SecretaryIncarceratedSentenced to death [14] [15]
7Md. Meftahul Islam (Zion)Marine Engineering, '15 Batch1512047Sports SecretaryIncarceratedSentenced to death [14] [15]
8Md. Majeedur Rahman MajeedMME Department, '17 Batch1711023BCL MemberIncarceratedSentenced to death [14] [15]
9Md. Mujahidur Rahman MujahidEEE Department, '16 Batch1606116BCL MemberIncarceratedSentenced to death [14] [15]
10Khandakar Tabakkarul Islam (Tanveer)Mechanical Engineering, '16 Batch1610100BCL MemberIncarceratedSentenced to death [14] [15]
11Hossain Mohammad TohaMechanical Engineering, '17 Batch1710123BCL MemberIncarceratedSentenced to death [14] [15]
12Md. Akash HossainCivil Engineering, '16 Batch1604194BCL MemberIncarceratedLife imprisonment [14] [15]
13Md. Shamim BillahNME Department, '17 Batch1712054IncarceratedSentenced to death [14] [15]
14ASM Najmus SadatMechanical Engineering, '17 Batch1710108BCL MemberIncarceratedSentenced to death [14] [15]
15Md. Morshed Amartya IslamMechanical Engineering, '17 Batch1710141IncarceratedSentenced to death [14] [15]
16Muaz Abu HurairaEEE Department, '17 Batch1706106BCL MemberIncarceratedLife imprisonment [14] [15]
17Muntasir Al ZemiMechanical Engineering, '17 Batch1710087BCL MemberIncarceratedSentenced to death [14] [15]
18Amit SahaCivil Engineering, '16 Batch1604151Legal Assistant SecretaryIncarceratedLife imprisonment [14] [15]
19Ishtiaq Ahmed MunnaMechanical Engineering, '15 Batch1510069Publication and Editorial SecretaryIncarceratedLife imprisonment [14] [15]
20Md. Shamsul Arefin RafatMechanical Engineering, '17 Batch1710103IncarceratedSentenced to death [14] [15]
21Md. Mizanur RahmanWater Resources Engineering, '16 Batch1616004IncarceratedSentenced to death [14] [15]
22SM Mahmud SetuChemical Engineering, '14 Batch1402004Former Vice PresidentIncarceratedSentenced to death [14] [15]
23Morshed-Uz-Zaman Mondol JisanEEE Department, '16 Batch1606154BCL MemberFugitive [16] Sentenced to death [14] [15]
24Ehteshamul Rabbi (Tanim)Civil Engineering, '17 Batch1704135BCL MemberFugitive [16] Sentenced to death [14] [15]
25Mujtaba RafidChemical Engineering, '16 Batch1602017Assistant Office SecretaryFugitive [16] Sentenced to death [14] [15]

The court described the actions of the accused as premeditated and held them directly responsible for the murder. Those sentenced to death were identified as the individuals directly involved in the physical assault, while those receiving life sentences were found guilty of aiding and abetting the crime. [17]

The case advanced to the High Court for mandatory review and appeals, as required by Bangladeshi law. As of December 2024, the death reference and appeals related to the case remain pending with the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. [18] [19]

Significance

The case has drawn attention to issues surrounding student political activities and the governance of educational institutions in Bangladesh. In response to the incident, BUET authorities imposed a ban on all forms of political activity on campus, reflecting institutional changes prompted by the case. [20]

The case is noted for its use of the Speedy Trial Tribunal, underscoring the judicial system's effort to address public concerns and deliver justice within a shorter timeframe.

Furthermore, the case has raised broader discussions about the limits of political expression, freedom of speech and accountability in academic spaces. It continues to be referenced in ongoing dialogues about reforming campus environments and addressing the misuse of political power. [21]

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References

  1. ↑ "Abrar murder case: Horrific accounts of cruelty". The Daily Star . 12 October 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  2. ↑ "'I still hear him calling out ammu'". Prothom Alo . 7 October 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  3. ↑ "Death reference of killers of Abrar pending with HC for 3 years". New Age (Bangladesh) . 6 October 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  4. ↑ "Abrar murder case verdict: 20 sentenced to death, 5 get life term". The Daily Star . 8 December 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  5. ↑ "The Arrestees". The Daily Star . 8 October 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  6. ↑ Dispatch, Peoples (9 October 2019). "Protests break out in Bangladesh over death of 21-year-old student". Peoples Dispatch. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  7. ↑ "Buet student beaten to death: Critical FB post costs him his life?". The Daily Star . 8 October 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  8. ↑ "20 BUET students to walk gallows for Abrar murder". The Financial Express . 9 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  9. ↑ "Abrar Fahad murder: 20 Buet students sentenced to death, 5 jailed for life". The Business Standard . 8 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  10. ↑ "Father charges 19 over murder of BUET student Abrar". bdnews24.com . 7 October 2019. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  11. ↑ বুয়েটের ২৬ শিক্ষার্থী আজীবন বহিষ্কার. banglatribune.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  12. ↑ "BUET's 26 Students Expelled for Life". prothomalo.com. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  13. ↑ "Charge Sheet in Abrar Murder Case, 25 Accused Including BCL Leaders". ittefaq.com.bd. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 "Those Sentenced to Death and Life Imprisonment". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 2021-12-08. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 "Abrar Murder: 20 Sentenced to Death, 5 to Life Imprisonment". bdnews24.com (in Bengali). 2021-12-08. Archived from the original on 2021-12-08. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
  16. 1 2 3 "Abrar Murder: CID Officer Testified". NTV (in Bengali). 2021-01-05. Retrieved 2021-01-10.
  17. ↑ "Abrar Fahad killing: Bangladesh student was beaten for four hours". BBC News . 9 October 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  18. ↑ "Five years of Abrar Fahad murder; 'I still hear him calling out ammu'". Prothom Alo . 7 October 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  19. ↑ "Attorney General: Steps being taken to hear appeal in Abrar murder case soon". Dhaka Tribune . 7 October 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  20. ↑ "'ভিসিই দলীয় ছাত্রদের প্রশ্রয়দাতা'". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 27 October 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  21. ↑ "How Abrar Fahad's murder laid the seeds of the July uprising". The Business Standard . 6 October 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
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