Police have submitted a charge sheet against four people, including two teenagers, in the murder case of Ishayat Shahriar, also known as Apratim, 13, son of Comilla University Bangla Department Associate Professor Nahida Begum.
The charge sheet was filed on Tuesday, 31 days after Apratim’s body was recovered. Police said the investigation found preliminary evidence linking all four accused to the murder.
District police media officer and Additional Superintendent of Police Lutfur Rahman confirmed the submission late Thursday night.
Apratim’s father, KM Firoz Shahriar, who filed the case, said the investigation officer called him on Thursday night to inform him that the charge sheet had been submitted.
Expressing his grief over losing his son, Firoz said the family had many dreams centred on Apratim, but those dreams had been shattered. He called for a speedy trial and the maximum punishment for those responsible.
Two teenagers among four accused
Rajib Ahmed, an inspector (investigation) at Sadar Dakshin Model police station in Cumilla and the case’s second investigation officer, submitted the charge sheet.
The accused are Saiful Islam, also known as Tuhin, 19; Siam, 19; and two teenagers aged 15 and 16.
Police brought charges under Sections 302, 201 and 34 of the Penal Code, 1860. The two teenagers were identified as children in the charge sheet under the Children Act, 2013.
Investigators said Tuhin played the leading role in planning the murder, while evidence indicated Siam’s involvement in the planning. Three of the accused have been accused of directly participating in the killing, while Siam faces allegations of planning and aiding the crime.
Police also said Tuhin and the two teenagers had given confessional statements before the court.
Family raises questions over teenagers’ ages
Despite the submission of the charge sheet, Apratim’s family remains concerned about the actual ages of the two teenagers. The family had previously called for DNA tests, if necessary, to determine their ages. The issue had also prompted questions among teachers and students at the university.
The family said it would consult its lawyer and decide on further legal steps after receiving a copy of the charge sheet.
Additional Superintendent of Police Lutfur Rahman said the investigation had been completed and the charge sheet submitted within the deadline set by the superintendent of police. He added that the accused were arrested within 24 hours of the recovery of the body and that the case had been investigated with due importance.
Court proceedings did not begin immediately after the charge sheet was submitted because of the government holidays for Durga Puja. Police sources said court activities were scheduled to resume on Sunday after the holidays.
How Apratim went missing
Apratim went missing on September 18 after leaving his home in the Gandhamati area of Kotbari in Cumilla city. He was a Class VII student at Border Guard Public School in Kotbari.
Police recovered his body the following day, September 19, from an isolated forest in the Lalm AI hills in Sananda village under Bijoypur Union of Sadar Dakshin upazila.
According to investigators, Apratim was taken to the isolated location as part of a plan to steal his iPhone. When he resisted the attempt to take the phone, he was struck on the head with a bamboo stick, causing his death, police said.
Investigators said they identified Tuhin after reviewing CCTV footage from several locations. Questioning him subsequently led police to information about the involvement of others, they added.
Police also said Apratim’s iPhone was recovered from beneath a mattress at Tuhin’s home based on information provided by him.
Three people, including Tuhin, were initially arrested in connection with the murder. Siam was arrested later after investigators found evidence of his alleged involvement.
With the submission of the charge sheet, the investigation has reached a significant milestone. Apratim’s family is now awaiting the start of the trial and hopes the court will ensure justice and punish those found guilty in accordance with the law.