Published : 25 Jul 2025, 04:01 AM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 01:33 PM
Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has ordered an investigation into all killings carried out over the past 15 years by state forces or Awami League affiliates under government directives.
The decision comes in response to a demand from the family of Abrar Fahad, the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) student who was beaten to death in 2019.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Chief Advisor’s Office said the directive was given after Abrar’s father Mohammad Barkat Ullah, younger brother Abrar Faiyaj, and maternal uncle Mofazzal Hossain met him at the state guesthouse Jamuna.
During the meeting, Abrar’s family urged the government to compile a list of those killed in politically motivated violence before the July Uprising and to ensure proper investigation and justice for each case.
They also requested the government to expedite the trial in Abrar’s murder case.
Abrar, a resident of Sher-e-Bangla Hall at BUET, was beaten to death on the night of Oct 6, 2019, after being taken into a room by activists of the university’s Chhatra League unit. The incident sparked nationwide outrage and led to a ban on student politics at BUET.
In December 2021, a lower court sentenced 20 people to death and five to life imprisonment. The High Court later upheld the verdicts.
Three of the accused have been absconding since the beginning of the case, and one, Muntasir Al Jemi, escaped from prison while awaiting a death sentence.
Abrar’s father reiterated that his son was killed for speaking up for national interest, particularly against the unequal distribution of river water.
“He was beaten to death for raising his voice for the country,” he said.
Yunus assured the family that justice would be ensured in Abrar’s case.
He also pledged to investigate all politically motivated killings carried out by Awami League affiliates and armed forces under state orders before the July Uprising.
Yunus added that investigations are already under way for instances where state forces were used to carry out extrajudicial killings under the previous government’s directives.
During the meeting, Barkat also appealed for a bridge over the Gorai River in Kushtia, a long-standing demand of local residents.
Abrar’s younger brother Faiyaj called on the government to make educational institutions more student-friendly and urged strict action to prevent ragging on campuses, particularly at BUET.
