A Dhaka tribunal on Sunday deferred until December 8 to pronounce its judgement in a case filed for killing Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology student Abrar Fahad.
Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 Judge Abu Zafar Md Kamruzzaman set the fresh date as the judgment was not ready yet.
Earlier on November 14, the tribunal fixed November 28 for pronouncing judgement as both prosecution and defence concluded their arguments in the case.
The tribunal on September 8 indicted a total of 25 accused in the case afresh.
The 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, 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 them, Jisan, Tanim, and Rafid are yet to be arrested and were tried in their absence.
On October 7, 2019, Abrar Fahad was lynched by leaders and activists of the then BUET unit Chhatra League at Sher-e-Bangla Hall of the university, reportedly over his Facebook posts that criticised the government’s deals with India.
A second-year student of electrical and electronic engineering, Abrar was found dead on the staircase of the hall in the early hours of October 7 after he was taken to room no-2011 on October 6 night and beaten mercilessly.
Abrar's father Barkat Ullah filed a murder case with Chawkbazar police station against 19 students.
The murder sparked huge protests across the country while demonstrations were held demanding justice for Abrar. Academic activities at BUET came to a halt.
On October 11 that year, the university authorities, in the face of the demonstrations, banned all sorts of political organisations and their activities on the campus and suspended the 19 students, accused of killing Abrar.
On November 13, 2019, the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s Court took cognisance of a charge sheet submitted by the Detective Branch of police against the 25 accused.
The case was later transferred to the speedy trial tribunal, allowing a plea of Abrar's father.
On September 15, 2020, the tribunal framed charges against all the accused.
According to the police, 11 of the accused took part in the murder directly and others assisted in the killing.
Eight of the accused gave confessional statements before the court.
As many as 46 out of 60 prosecution witnesses testified during the trial.
