The murder of BUET student Abrar Fahad was a stark example of fascism, Attorney General Barrister Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal said on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, marking the anniversary of Abrar’s death, he said the case demonstrated that those who once believed they could escape punishment under political protection would ultimately be held accountable.
“The verdict in the murder case has proved that perpetrators have to face justice and punishment,” he said.
The attorney general also outlined the state’s position on the case, saying the prosecution did not appeal against the High Court verdict as it upheld the sentences handed down by the trial court.
“Our position is that we do not want to delay the proceedings. We want to ensure citizens’ constitutional right to a speedy trial,” Ruhul Quddus Kazal said.
He said the pace of the next hearing would largely depend on the defence. However, the prosecution would make every effort to have the sentences against all the convicts upheld at the final hearing, he added.
“If the case comes up for hearing before the Appellate Division, the state will not cause any delay. We will not seek even a day’s adjournment,” the attorney general said.
“The trial of this murder should be completed quickly. People want to see the verdict implemented,” he added.
Abrar, an Electrical and Electronic Engineering student at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), was beaten to death at Sher-e-Bangla Hall on 7 October 2019.
His death triggered widespread protests and outrage across the country. The convicts in the case were leaders and activists of the BUET unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League, which is now a banned organisation.
The Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 sentenced 20 accused to death and five others to life imprisonment on 8 December 2021.
On 16 March 2025, the High Court upheld all 20 death sentences and the five life sentences.
The 20 convicts sentenced to death are Mehedi Hasan (Russell), Md Anik Sarker, Mehedi Hasan (Robin), Ifti Mosharraf, Md Moniruzzaman, Md Meftahul Islam, Md Majedur Rahman, Md Mujahidur Rahman, Khandaker Tabakkarul Islam, Hossain Mohammad Toha, Md Shamim Billah, ASM Nazmus Sadat, Morshed Amartya Islam, Muntasir Al (Jamie), Md Shamsul Arefin, Md Mizanur Rahman, SM Mahmud, Morshed-Uz-Zaman Mondal, Ehteshamul Rabbi and Mujtaba Rafid.
The five others sentenced to life imprisonment are Muhtasim Fuad Hossain, Md Akash Hossain, Muaz Abu Huraira, Amit Saha and Ishtiaq Ahmed.
The convicts have sought permission to appeal against the High Court judgment. The state has not filed an appeal, as it is satisfied with the verdict.
