Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday assured the family of slain Abrar Fahad of all necessary government support in the ongoing murder case, while pledging to consider their various demands, including a bridge over the Gorai River in Kushtia to be named after the BUET student.

Abrar’s father Md Barkat Ullah, mother Rokeya Khatun, younger brother Abrar Faiyaz, an uncle and a maternal uncle met the Prime Minister at his office at the Cabinet Division of the Bangladesh Secretariat around 5pm, said a release issued by the PM’s Press Wing.

During the meeting, Tarique Rahman spoke to the family members and enquired after their well-being and other matters.

Barkat Ullah sought the Prime Minister’s cooperation in expediting the judicial process in his son’s murder case and executing the verdict.

In response, the Prime Minister said the case is currently pending with the Supreme Court and the judiciary will independently complete the trial process.

He assured the family that the government will provide all necessary support in the matter.

Abrar’s father also sought the construction of a bridge over the Gorai River in Kushtia, saying around 40,000 to 50,000 people in the area currently cross the river using a makeshift bamboo bridge.

Tarique Rahman assured him of taking steps to construct the bridge and pledged to name it after Abrar Fahad.

Barkat Ullah also sought assistance for paving Abrar’s grave and completing the construction of a mosque by it.

The Prime Minister directed that the construction of the mosque be completed immediately.

Abrar’s father also raised the issue of fugitive convicts in the Abrar murder case, saying the family was informed about six months after a convict escaped from Kashimpur High Security Central Jail.

He urged the Prime Minister to take steps to bring all the escaped and absconding convicts to justice.

Abrar’s mother Rokeya Khatun urged the Prime Minister to ensure that no other mother suffers the loss of a child in a similar incident.

“Every student on every campus is someone’s child, just like mine. I want no campus to return to the kind of environment we saw before. I do not want any mother to suffer the loss that I have suffered,” she said.

Abrar’s younger brother Faiyaz invited the Prime Minister to visit Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and sought the construction of a new residential hall there named after Abrar.

In response to the demand, Tarique Rahman immediately spoke to the education secretary.

Faiyaz also sought the inclusion of Abrar’s story in textbooks so that future generations could learn about him.

He further proposed that the government prepare a list of people who were killed in different periods before the July uprising, similar to the list prepared for those killed during the movement.

The Prime Minister said a related project is currently being processed by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs and work is underway on it.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir were also present during the meeting.

Abrar Fahad, a student of the BUET Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, was beaten to death by leaders and activists of the then ruling Awami League’s student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League at Sher-e-Bangla Hall on the night of October 6, 2019.

Abrar was called to room No. 2011 of the hall and beaten over a Facebook post in which he had criticised several agreements and memorandums of understanding signed during the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India.

He was later found unconscious on a staircase of the hall in the early hours of October 7. A post-mortem examination found evidence of severe injuries and internal bleeding caused by excessive beating.

His killing triggered widespread protests at BUET and other universities across the country, with students demanding punishment of those responsible.

On October 7, 2019, Abrar’s father filed a murder case with Chawkbazar Police Station against 19 people. Following an investigation, the Detective Branch of police submitted a charge sheet against 25 accused.

On December 8, 2021, the Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 sentenced 20 accused to death and five others to life imprisonment.

The High Court upheld the death sentences and life terms on March 16, 2025.

Nine of the convicts sentenced to death later appealed against the High Court verdict before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, while one of those sentenced to life imprisonment filed a leave-to-appeal petition.

The case is currently pending before the Appellate Division.

After the meeting, members of Abrar’s family also spoke to reporters.