Investigation into Apratim Murder Completed in 31 Days; Chargesheet Names Four, Including Two Juveniles

Police have submitted a chargesheet in court in the murder case of Ishayat Shahriar Apratim (13), the son of Nahida Begum, an associate professor in the Bangla Department of Cumilla University. Four people, including two juveniles, have been accused in the case.

The chargesheet was filed in court on Tuesday (20 October), 31 days after Apratim's body was recovered. After completing the investigation, police said primary evidence of involvement in the killing had been found against the four accused. The victim's family is now waiting for the trial proceedings to begin.

District police media officer and Additional Superintendent of Police Lutfor Rahman confirmed the filing of the chargesheet late on Thursday night. He said the chargesheet against four people, including two juveniles, was submitted to the court on 20 October.

The chargesheet was filed by the case's second investigating officer, Inspector (Investigation) Rajib Ahmed of Cumilla Sadar Dakshin Model Police Station. Those accused are Saiful Islam Tuhin (19), Siam (19), and two juveniles aged 15 and 16.

According to police, the accused face charges under Sections 302, 201 and 34 of the Penal Code. Under the Children Act, the two aged 15 and 16 have been recorded in the chargesheet as children.

Investigators claim Tuhin played the leading role in planning the murder. Evidence of Siam's involvement in the planning was also found. Three of the accused are alleged to have taken direct part in the killing, while Siam faces allegations of planning and assisting.

Police further said Tuhin and the two juveniles aged 15 and 16 have given confessional statements in court. The investigation was concluded on the basis of confessions, testimony and other evidence, investigators said.

According to the investigation account, Apratim was deliberately taken to a secluded place. When he resisted an attempt to snatch his phone there, he was struck on the head with a bamboo stick. Police said that blow caused his death.

Investigators said Tuhin was identified by reviewing CCTV footage from various places after the incident. Questioning him then yielded information about the others' involvement, according to police. Based on Tuhin's information, Apratim's iPhone was recovered from under the mattress of a bed at his home, police had said earlier.

Three people including Tuhin were arrested first in connection with the incident. Later, police arrested Siam as well after finding information about his involvement during the investigation. In this way, all four were brought under the law.

Despite the filing of the chargesheet, Apratim's family remains concerned about the real ages of the two juveniles. The family had earlier demanded DNA testing if necessary to determine their ages. Questions about the matter had also been raised among the university's teachers and students.

The plaintiff in the case and Apratim's father, K M Firoz Shahriar, said he had been in contact with the investigating officer about the chargesheet. On Thursday night, the investigating officer phoned him to inform him that the chargesheet had been submitted to the court.

Expressing the grief of losing his son, Firoz Shahriar said they had many dreams centred on Apratim, and those dreams are now shattered. He demanded a speedy completion of the trial and the maximum punishment for the accused.

The family said that after receiving a copy of the chargesheet, they will consult their lawyer and decide on the next legal steps.

Additional Superintendent of Police Lutfor Rahman claimed the investigation was completed and the chargesheet filed within the deadline set by the Superintendent of Police. According to him, the accused were arrested within 24 hours of the body being recovered, and the investigation was completed with due importance.

With the filing of the chargesheet, an important phase of the investigation has ended. Apratim's family is now waiting for a swift start to the trial. They hope the court will ensure proper justice for the killing and that those found guilty will receive the maximum punishment under the law.