Abu Sayed killing case: Verdict reading underway

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 has started reading out the verdict in a crimes against humanity case filed over the killing of Begum Rokeya University (BRUR) student Abu Sayed during the July Mass Uprising.

The three-member tribunal, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Mazumder, began reading out the verdict in the case on Thursday.

Earlier, the tribunal on 5 March fixed 9 April for pronouncing the verdict in the case.

On 27 January, the tribunal kept the case under CAV (curia advisari vult), a Latin legal term meaning the court reserved its verdict after concluding the hearing.

Earlier, on 25 January, the prosecution sought the maximum punishment for the accused, while the defence pleaded for their acquittal.

Six of the 30 accused are currently behind bars and faced trial in person, while the remaining accused are yet to be arrested and were tried in absentia.

The six arrested accused are former BRUR proctor Shariful Islam, former assistant registrar Rafiul Hasan Russel, former staffer Md Anwar Pervej, former assistant sub-inspector Amir Hossain, former constable Sujan Chandra Roy and former BRUR Chhatra League general secretary Imran Chowdhury Akash.

The tribunal framed charges against all 30 accused on 6 August, 2025.

Earlier, on 30 June, 2025, ICT-2 issued arrest warrants against 26 fugitives, including former BRUR vice-chancellor Professor Dr Md Hasibur Rashid, former Rangpur Metropolitan Police commissioner Md Moniruzzaman, former deputy police commissioner Mohammed Abu Maruf Hossain, former additional deputy police commissioner Md Shah Nur Alam Patwari, former assistant commissioner Md Arifuzzaman, former officer-in-charge of Tajhat Police Station Robiul Islam, sub-inspector Bivuti Bhushan Roy and Dr Sarwar Hussain Chandan.

The investigation agency submitted its probe report on 24 June, 2025, accusing 30 individuals in the case.

According to the prosecution, on 16 July, 2024, shortly before Abu Sayed's death, the then proctor allegedly forced students off the campus with the help of Chhatra League activists, after which two policemen reportedly fired at Abu Sayed at close range.

Abu Sayed's family filed the complaint on 13 January, 2025, naming 25 individuals.