Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said that all those involved in the murder of Ishayat Shahriar Apratim were arrested within 12 hours.
The trial of Apratim’s murder, like that of Ramisa, will be expedited, he said during an emergency press conference in the meeting room of the Ministry of Home Affairs at the Secretariat on Sunday.
“The court will conduct the trial, and we will provide all necessary cooperation,” he said, adding, “Four have been arrested — three earlier and one today — and they have admitted to the crime. The rest of the legal process is underway.”
Among them, two are believed to be over 18 years of age, while one may be under 18. Their national identity cards are being verified.
On the arrestees, he added, “Two are likely over 18, one may be younger, but NID checks are ongoing. They appear to be part of a juvenile crime circle. They had ties with the boy — they spent time together, were friends, often socialised. From the information gathered, they are 5 to 10 years older than him.”
The minister said all evidence has been collected. Police are now working on further legal procedures, including whether confessional statements under Section 164 can be recorded.
He praised police for recovering all surrounding information and evidence related to the killing in the shortest possible time.
Police also recovered the iPhone from the house of Tuhin, one of the suspects arrested after the body of Apratim was found.
