Abrar Murder: Seven years on, case still stuck in appeals

Seven years after the murder of Buet student Abrar Fahad, the judicial process is still awaiting final settlement, with appeals pending before the Appellate Division.

Although both the lower court and the High Court delivered verdicts in the case, the final disposal and execution of the sentences remain stalled as several convicts appealed against the HC judgement.

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On December 8, 2021, a Dhaka speedy trial tribunal sentenced 20 accused to death and five others to life imprisonment.

The HC upheld the tribunal’s verdict on March 16, 2025, confirming the death sentences of 20 and life imprisonment for five others after hearing the death references and appeals.

The killing took place on the night of October 7, 2019, when Chhatra League leaders and activists called Abrar to Room 2011 of BUET’s Sher-e-Bangla Hall and beat him to death. His body was recovered from the dormitory staircase early the next morning.

The following day, Abrar’s father, Barkat Ullah, filed a murder case with Chawkbazar Police Station. Following an investigation, police submitted a charge sheet against 25 people.

According to the investigation, Abrar was called to the room over a Facebook post in which he criticised various agreements between Bangladesh and India.

His murder triggered countrywide outrage and student protests at BUET and other universities, sparking debate over campus student politics and political influence in educational institutions.

Following the student movement, BUET authorities banned all forms of organisational student politics on campus. The killing also prompted widespread demands for greater student safety in residential halls, an end to ragging and torture, and campuses free from political interference.