Photo: Collected
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has expressed the hope that, like the trial of the Ramisa murder, it will be possible to complete the trial of the Apratim killing within a short time as well. He said, ‘The court will hold the trial. We will cooperate by completing our lawful processes and submitting the charge sheet.’
He said this at a press briefing held at the Ministry of Home Affairs at the Secretariat this afternoon, Sunday.
The home minister said people across the country are shocked by this incident in Cumilla. The body was recovered within 24 hours of the incident, and four people were arrested within 12 hours on suspicion of involvement in the murder of Class VII student Ishayat Shahriar Apratim (13). Those arrested have admitted their involvement in the incident.
He said that among the teenagers involved in this incident, two are probably over 18 years of age, while one may be younger; their national identity cards (NIDs) are being verified. They are somewhat like a juvenile crime gang. They had a relationship, association and friendship with the slain boy and they often hung out together. Inquiries and analysis of other information have shown that they are 5 to 10 years older than Apratim.
The home minister further said, ‘The mobile phone around which the incident took place has been recovered from the prime suspect accused, Tuhin.’
He said, ‘All the evidence has been found and they have admitted to the incident. Police are now carrying out the other lawful procedures.’
Praising the role of the police, he said police were able to arrest all the suspected accused and seize everything necessary, including evidence, within just 12 hours.
It may be mentioned that Apratim left home at 3pm on Friday with his mother’s iPhone to take photos with friends. He did not return home after that. Police later recovered his body from the jungle of Lalmai hill in Sananda village beside Cumilla University.
