The body of Apratim Shahriar was recovered from the deep Lalmai Hills, located south of Comilla University, on Saturday afternoon, a day after he went missing.
A local farmer named Jilani first spotted the body deep inside the hills and noticed jackals dragging it.
Upon being informed, police arrived at the location to recover the body, while officials from the Detective Branch (DB) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) also visited the scene.
Following the preparation of an inquest report, the body was dispatched to Comilla Medical College Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Although Apratim’s wallet was retrieved from the location, his mother’s iPhone, which he had taken with him, was missing.
Law enforcement agencies detained an individual named Tuhin after analysing CCTV camera footage, and subsequently detained several other suspects.
Police, however, declined to disclose specific details regarding the detainees in the interest of the ongoing investigation.
Comilla University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr MM Shariful Karim visited the site to offer his condolences to the bereaved family.
He said university teachers and students had been actively searching for Apratim since Friday, demanding the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible.
Comilla Superintendent of Police Md Anisuzzaman said the investigation is actively underway and further details cannot be revealed at this point, though he assured that all individuals involved would be brought to justice swiftly.
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Cumilla-6 constituency Monirul Haque Chowdhury also inspected the site. He urged authorities to ensure the rapid arrest of the culprits and to complete trial proceedings within three months.
The tragic loss has cast a deep pall of gloom over Comilla University and Apratim’s hometown.
Students expressed immense shock over the death of their beloved teacher’s only child, demanding the immediate arrest of those involved and threatening tough protest programmes if the perpetrators are not apprehended within 12 hours.
