PM pledges support for Abrar Fahad case, bridge in his name

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (8 October) assured the family of slain Abrar Fahad of all necessary government support in the ongoing murder case, while pledging to consider their various demands, including a bridge over the Gorai River in Kushtia to be named after the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) student.

Abrar’s father Md Barkat Ullah, mother Rokeya Khatun, younger brother Abrar Faiyaz, an uncle and a maternal uncle met him at his office in the Cabinet Division of the Secretariat around 5pm, said a press release issued by the prime minister’s press wing.

During the meeting, father Barkat Ullah sought the prime minister’s cooperation in expediting the judicial process in the murder case and executing the verdict.

In response, the premier said the case is currently pending with the Supreme Court and the judiciary will independently complete the trial process, assuring them that the government will provide all necessary support in the matter.

Abrar’s father also sought construction of a bridge over the Gorai River in Kushtia, saying nearly 40,000 to 50,000 people in the area currently cross the river daily using a makeshift bamboo bridge.

Tarique assured him of taking steps to construct the bridge and pledged to name it after Abrar Fahad.

The father also sought assistance for paving Abrar’s grave and completing the construction of a mosque by it.

The prime minister directed that the construction of the mosque be completed immediately.

Abrar’s mother Rokeya said, “Every student on every campus is someone’s child, just like mine. I want no campus to return to the kind of environment we saw before. I do not want any mother to suffer the loss that I have suffered.”

Abrar Fahad, a student of the Electrical and Electronic Engineering department, had been beaten to death by leaders and activists of the then ruling Awami League’s student wing, Bangladesh Chhatra League at Sher-e-Bangla Hall on the night of October 6, 2019.

Abrar was called to room No. 2011 of the hall and beaten over a Facebook post in which he had criticised several agreements and memorandums of understanding signed during the then prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India.

His killing triggered widespread protests at Buet and other universities across the country, with students demanding punishment of those responsible.

On October 7, 2019, Abrar’s father filed a murder case with Chawkbazar Police Station against 19 people. 

On December 8, 2021, the Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 sentenced 20 accused to death and five others to life imprisonment. The High Court upheld the death sentences and life terms on March 16, 2025.

Nine of the convicts sentenced to death later appealed against the High Court verdict before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, while one of those sentenced to life imprisonment filed a leave-to-appeal petition.