Dhaka:Seven years have passed since the murder of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) student Abrar Fahad, and his family is still awaiting the execution of the verdicts against those convicted.
According to United News of Bangladesh, a Dhaka court sentenced 20 individuals to death and five to life imprisonment in December 2021 for the murder that caused a massive public outcry. The High Court upheld these sentences on March 16, 2025, but the legal process remains incomplete as appeals are pending before the Appellate Division.
Abrar's family has expressed their frustration over the delays, despite verdicts being delivered at two judicial levels. His younger brother, Abrar Faiyaz, noted that the murder had a significant impact on both their family and the wider political and social landscape of Bangladesh. He criticized the slow progression of the case, stating that although cases can be expedited, there seems to be hesitation in doing so for this particular case.
Faiyaz voiced his family's concerns about the lack of progress and perceived neglect in executing the verdict, emphasizing that their only option now is to wait. Abrar's father, Md Barkat Ullah, echoed this sentiment, calling for the government to expedite the judicial process to meet the widespread demand for justice in Bangladesh.
Sultan Mahmud Talha, a member of the National Citizens Party in Kushtia district, urged authorities to implement the court's decision. He highlighted the significant political changes that followed Abrar's killing and stressed the importance of enforcing the sentences.
Abrar, an Electrical and Electronic Engineering student at BUET, was fatally beaten at Sher-e-Bangla Hall on October 6, 2019. His father filed a murder case, leading to charges against 25 BUET students in November 2019. The incident led to widespread protests and discussions about student politics and campus violence.