The High Court has released its full 131-page verdict upholding the death sentences of 20 students and life imprisonment for five others in the 2019 murder of Buet student Abrar Fahad. The verdict is now available on the Supreme Court's official website.
On March 16, a High Court bench consisting of Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice Syed Enayet Hossain confirmed the trial court's earlier decision delivered in December 2021. The trial court had sentenced 20 students to death and five to life in prison for their roles in the brutal killing.
Abrar Fahad, a second-year student of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), was beaten to death on October 6, 2019, by members of the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) at Sher-e-Bangla Hall. The incident was reportedly triggered by a Facebook post that Abrar made criticising a water-sharing agreement between Bangladesh and India. His body was found on a dormitory staircase.
The case sparked national outrage and widespread protests. Abrar's father filed a murder case the following day at Chawkbazar Police Station.
The High Court began hearing the death reference and appeals on November 28, 2023.
Convicted Individuals:
Death Penalty (20 students):
Mehedi Hassan Rasel, Anik Sarker, Mehedi Hassan Robin, Ifty Mosharaf Sakal, Moniruzzaman Monir, Meftahul Islam Jiyon, Majedur Rahman, Muzahidur Rahman, Tabakhairul Islam Tanvir, Hossen Mohammad Toha, Shamim Billah, Nazmus Shadat, Muntasir Al Jemi, Mizanur Rahman, Mahmud Setu, Shamsul Arifin Rafat, Morshed Omorto Islam, Ehtesamul Rabbi, Morshed Uzzaman Jishan, Mujtaba Rafeed.
Life Imprisonment (5 students):
Muhtasim Fuyad, Akash Hossain, Mowaz Abu Horaira, Omit Shaha, Ishtiaq Hassan Munna.
Among the 25 convicted, five remain fugitives.
