Today marks four years since Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) student Fardin Noor Parash was found dead.
His body was recovered from the Shitalakshya River in Narayanganj on 7 November 2022, three days after he went missing, but investigators have yet to determine whether he was murdered or died by suicide.
The investigating agencies have sought 40 extensions to submit their investigation report.
The case was initially investigated by the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, which submitted a final report to the court on 6 February 2023, concluding that Fardin had died by suicide.
His father, Kazi Nuruddin Rana, challenged the findings through a naraji petition, prompting the court to transfer the case to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation.
The latest deadline for submitting the report was 14 October, but the CID failed to meet it.
Sub-Inspector Mominul Islam of the Prosecution Department said Metropolitan Magistrate Al Biruni Mir of Dhaka set 17 November as the next deadline.
CID yet to determine cause of death
Additional Superintendent of Police Tanjila Siddika of CID Dhaka Metro East, the investigating officer, told TBS that investigators had not found any new leads.
“We have not been able to find anything new yet. The case came to CID precisely because of the question of whether the victim committed suicide or was murdered. The case requires further investigation. We hope to find a clue sooner or later,” she said.
Fardin’s father said the prolonged investigation reflected a wider culture of impunity and urged the government to establish the truth.
“Looking at Fardin’s case alone reveals the reality of impunity in Bangladesh. 40 dates have passed, yet the investigation of the case is not complete. I appeal to the government to break away from this culture of impunity and bring out the truth of the incident,” he told TBS.
Rana maintained that Fardin had been killed before his body was dumped in the river. He rejected the DB’s conclusion that Fardin had died by suicide because of family discord, financial hardship and drug involvement.
“A month and a half after the incident, he was supposed to represent Bangladesh in a debate competition in Spain. But he was abducted. They tortured him for three days, and on the fourth day, killed him and dumped his body.
“Four full years have passed. DB Police investigated and reported that Fardin committed suicide due to family discord, financial distress, and involvement with drugs. If so, establish that – that he was not murdered, but committed suicide,” he said.
Rana also urged authorities to resolve the case against Fardin’s friend, Amatullah Bushra, whom he had named as an accused.
“Keeping a case hanging like this is impunity. And Bushra, whom I made an accused, is also a sufferer. She has a life, a family. If she is not guilty, let her be acquitted; if guilty, she will face punishment. Just do something,” he said.
Case continues to affect Bushra
Police arrested Buet student Bushra in connection with Fardin’s death. A court placed her on a five-day remand on 10 November 2022. Her bail was rejected on 16 November, and she was sent to jail before securing bail on 8 January 2023.
Bushra has since completed her undergraduate studies, is pursuing a master’s degree and has married.
However, her lawyer, Akhteruzzaman, said the unresolved case continues to affect her personal and family life.
“The case has been dragged out for a long time. Last year, the court summoned the investigating officer to inquire about the progress of the case. There is no significant progress in the case,” he told TBS.
He said the case had put Bushra’s family in an uncomfortable position and urged investigators to establish whether Fardin was murdered or died by suicide.
“If no allegations are found against Bushra, she will be exempted. And if involved, she will face trial. Something should happen,” he added.
How Fardin went missing
Fardin, a student of Buet’s Civil Engineering Department, was reported missing on 5 November 2022. Naval Police recovered his body from the Shitalakshya River on the night of 7 November.
His father filed a case with Rampura Police Station on 9 November, accusing Bushra and several unidentified individuals.
The autopsy report recorded injuries to different parts of Fardin’s head and multiple marks on his chest.
The DB’s final report, submitted on 6 February 2023, concluded that Fardin had died by suicide and recommended that Bushra be discharged from the allegations.
Rana challenged the findings through a naraji petition filed on 16 April 2023. The court accepted the petition and transferred the case to the CID for further investigation. The agency has yet to submit its report.
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