No lawyer will defend the accused in the much-discussed murder of Ishiat Shahriar Apratim, Cumilla District Bar Association leaders said, adding that the decision was taken on humanitarian grounds.
Cumilla District Bar Association President Advocate Md Shahidullah announced the decision on Tuesday at the conference room of Comilla University.
He said no formal written resolution had been adopted on the matter, but lawyers had taken the position based on a moral obligation arising from the brutality of the incident.
However, he added that state-appointed defence arrangements would remain available to ensure the legal rights of the accused.
At the meeting, Cumilla District Bar Association Public Prosecutor Kaimul Haque Rinku called for the submission of an accurate charge sheet through a swift and impartial investigation. He said the trial would proceed according to legal procedures rather than public sentiment.
Comilla University Vice-Chancellor Shariful Karim said the actual motive behind the murder and the roles of all those involved must be revealed through proper investigation.
“If any criminal group or patron is found involved, they must also be brought under the law,” he said.
He also said necessary tests should be conducted to determine the age of the accused if there was any dispute regarding their ages.
Apratim’s mother, Nahida Begum, alleged that attempts were being made to portray her son as involved in criminal activities.
She said she would not accept any attempt to target her son if the motive behind the killing was linked to her actions against drug users and dealers while serving as acting proctor of the university in early 2025.
“If I have any fault, punish me. Why should my son suffer the punishment? Why was my son killed?” she said.
Student representatives at the meeting demanded verification of the accused’s ages, including ossification tests if necessary, installation of CCTV cameras and improved lighting in the Lalmai and Salmanpur areas, and enhanced security in Kotbari and areas surrounding the university.
After the meeting, the vice-chancellor said necessary measures would be taken after discussions with the district police administration to improve student safety and address the local law-and-order situation alongside the judicial process.
