Abrar Fahad’s family meets PM, seeks swift execution of verdict

Bangla Press Desk: Members of the family of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) student Abrar Fahad met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and raised several demands, including expediting the judicial process in Abrar’s murder case and executing the verdict, arresting the absconding convicts, and constructing a bridge and a residential hall at BUET in Abrar’s name.

The meeting took place around 5pm on Thursday (Oct 8) at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Cabinet Division of the Secretariat. Abrar’s father Md Barkat Ullah, mother Rokeya Khatun, younger brother Abrar Faiyaz, an uncle from his mother’s side and another uncle attended the meeting. The prime minister spoke with them and enquired about the family’s overall wellbeing.

During the meeting, Abrar’s father sought the prime minister’s assistance in expediting the trial of his son’s murder case and implementing the verdict. In response, the prime minister said the case is currently pending before the higher court and that the judiciary will complete the proceedings independently. He assured the family, however, that the government would provide all necessary assistance.

Abrar’s father also demanded construction of a bridge over the Gorai River in Kushtia. He said around 40,000 to 50,000 people in the area currently cross the river using a makeshift bamboo bridge. The prime minister assured him of steps to build the bridge and promised that it would be named after Abrar Fahad.

Abrar’s father also sought assistance to pave his son’s grave and complete construction of a nearby mosque. The prime minister directed that the mosque’s construction be completed quickly.

The issue of absconding accused in Abrar’s murder case was also raised during the meeting. His father said the family was informed about one accused escaping from Kashimpur High Security Central Jail nearly six months after the incident. He called for the absconding convicts, including those who escaped from custody and remain at large, to be brought to justice as soon as possible.

The most emotional appeal came from Abrar’s mother, Rokeya Khatun. She said, “Every student on every campus is someone’s child, just like mine. I want no campus to ever return to the kind of environment that existed before. I do not want another mother to lose her child the way I did.”

Abrar’s younger brother Abrar Faiyaz invited the prime minister to visit the BUET campus. He also demanded construction of a new residential hall at BUET named after Abrar Fahad. The prime minister immediately spoke with the education secretary about the matter.

Faiyaz also called for the inclusion of Abrar Fahad’s killing in textbooks so that the new generation could learn about him. He also demanded that a list be compiled of people killed at different times, similar to the list of those killed during the July uprising. The prime minister said a related project is currently being processed by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs.

Central Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir were also present at the meeting.

On the night of Oct 6, 2019, Abrar Fahad was taken to Room 2011 of Sher-e-Bangla Hall at BUET and subjected to torture. He died the following morning. A day before his death, Abrar had posted on Facebook criticising several agreements and memorandums of understanding signed during then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India.

Following the killing, Abrar’s father, Md Barkat Ullah, filed a case against 19 people with Chawkbazar Police Station. After an investigation, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB) submitted a charge sheet against 25 people.

On Dec 8, 2021, the Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 sentenced 20 accused to death and five to life imprisonment. The High Court upheld the verdict on March 16, 2025. Nine of the death-row convicts have appealed against the High Court verdict in the Appellate Division, while one of those sentenced to life imprisonment has filed a leave-to-appeal petition. The case is currently pending before the Appellate Division.

Seven years after Abrar Fahad’s death, his family continues to wait for the final disposal of the case and execution of the verdict. At Thursday’s meeting with the prime minister, the family once again brought that long wait to the forefront.