7 Years Since Abrar Fahad's Murder: Family Frustrated by Lack of Final Justice

Today marks seven years since the murder of Abrar Fahad, a student at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). Although the convictions were upheld by both the trial court and the High Court, the case has not yet reached a final resolution; his family has expressed frustration and disappointment over the fact that four convicted individuals remain at large.

Abrar Fahad died after being subjected to torture at BUET’s Sher-e-Bangla Hall on October 7, 2019. According to the charge sheet and statements from relevant parties, he was tortured after making a critical Facebook post regarding certain agreements between Bangladesh and India at the time. Police later recovered his body from the dormitory staircase during the night.

Even after seven years, Abrar's family has preserved various personal items of his as keepsakes. His mobile phone, laptop, study table, and other belongings remain at their home on PTI Road in Kushtia town.

Abrar's father, Barkat Ullah Bulu, stated that the family is frustrated by the failure to arrest the convicted fugitives and the delay in executing the court's verdict. He also spoke of his son's aspiration to see a discrimination-free Bangladesh.

"I want to see the Bangladesh that Abrar Fahad dreamed of," his father said.

He also shared his own political perspective, touching upon Abrar's stance regarding India. He believes that Abrar lost his life precisely because he raised his voice in protest over the country's interests.

Meanwhile, Abrar Fahad's 105-year-old grandfather, Abdul Gafur, is also waiting to see the verdict in his grandson's murder case fully executed.

Current Status of the Abrar Murder Case

On November 13, 2019—roughly a month after the killing—the Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police submitted a charge sheet to the court naming 25 individuals as accused. Formal charges were framed against the accused on September 15 of the following year.

On December 8, 2021, Dhaka's Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 delivered its verdict. The court sentenced 20 individuals to death and five others to life imprisonment. Subsequently, following hearings on the death reference, the convicts' appeals, and jail appeals, the High Court upheld the trial court's verdict on March 16, 2025. Consequently, the death sentences of 20 convicts and the life imprisonment of five others remained in effect.

However, the convicted individuals have filed appeals and petitions for leave to appeal against the High Court's judgment. The case is currently pending before the Appellate Division; the hearing for the main appeal has not yet commenced.

According to the defense lawyers, a paper book comprising approximately 10,000 pages has been prepared for the case. However, the matter has not yet appeared on the Appellate Division's cause list.

Four Convicts Still at Large

Among the 20 convicts sentenced to death, three have been fugitives since the time of the trial court's verdict. They are Morshed-uz-Zaman, Ehteshamul Rabbi, and Mujtaba Rafid.

Additionally, death-row convict Muntasir Al Jemi escaped from the Gazipur High-Security Central Jail on August 6, 2024.

As a result, four of the 25 individuals convicted in the Abrar Fahad murder case remain at large.

The family's wait continues as the final legal proceedings remain unresolved even after seven years, and not all convicts have been brought to justice. Abrar's relatives have demanded a speedy resolution of the appeals and the execution of the verdict.