A Rangpur court on Thursday granted bail to 16-year-old Alfie Shahriar Mahim who was shown arrested in Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayeed murder case after he was picked up by police during quota reform movement on July 18.
Judge Mostafa Kamal of the Rangpur Women and Child Repression Prevention Tribunal-1 granted the bail, confirmed Mahim's lawyer Jobaidul Islam.
Mahim, son of Md Shahjalal, was sent to jail on July 19 in connection with the murder of Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayeed, who was killed during clashes with police, Chhatra League, and Jubo League activists in Rangpur on July 16.
Mahim's arrest remained unnoticed until his sister, Sanjana Akhter Sneha, posted on Facebook on July 31, seeking information about his whereabouts. She revealed that Mahim was arrested after being caught up in the protest and hit by a rubber bullet.
According to Mahim's lawyer, the case was initially handled by the Metropolitan Tajhat Police Station but was transferred due to his minor status. His bail hearing, originally scheduled for August 4, was moved up after the social media post garnered attention.
The investigating officer of the case, SI Zillur Rahman, said that Mahim was arrested during the violent protests, but his age verification was not conducted at the time due to the tense situation in Rangpur.
Mahim's sister expressed frustration over the handling of her brother's case, questioning why a minor in school uniform was detained and not allowed any contact with his family.