Murder of school student Apratim in Cumilla: Killing stemmed from plan to snatch mobile phone
Zakir Azad, Cumilla
Police claim to have solved the mystery behind the sensational murder of 13-year-old school student Ishayat Shahriar Apratim in Cumilla. He was deliberately taken to a secluded, forest-covered area in the Lalmai Hills with the intention of snatching his iPhone and was subsequently killed. Police have detained four individuals accused of involvement in the incident.
Police claim to have solved the mystery behind the sensational murder of 13-year-old school student Ishayat Shahriar Apratim in Cumilla. He was deliberately taken to a secluded, forest-covered area in the Lalmai Hills with the intention of snatching his iPhone and was subsequently killed. Police have detained four individuals accused of involvement in the incident.
Cumilla Superintendent of Police (SP) Md. Anisuzzaman disclosed these details at a press conference held at 2:30 PM on Sunday.
The deceased, Apratim, was the son of Dr. Nahida Begum, an Associate Professor in the Department of Bangla at Cumilla University, and businessman KM Firoz Shahriar.
The SP stated that last Friday at 3:12 PM, the accused, Tuhin, took Apratim to a secluded, forest-surrounded location known as 'Sananda' in the Lalmai Hills. Tuhin was taken into custody for questioning after the incident was observed on CCTV footage. During initial interrogation, Tuhin confessed that Apratim had been taken to the scene as part of a premeditated plan to snatch his mobile phone.
The deceased, Apratim, was the son of Dr. Nahida Begum, an Associate Professor in the Department of Bangla at Cumilla University, and businessman KM Firoz Shahriar.
The SP stated that last Friday at 3:12 PM, the accused, Tuhin, took Apratim to a secluded, forest-surrounded location known as 'Sananda' in the Lalmai Hills. Tuhin was taken into custody for questioning after the incident was observed on CCTV footage. During initial interrogation, Tuhin confessed that Apratim had been taken to the scene as part of a premeditated plan to snatch his mobile phone.
Under questioning, Tuhin revealed that two other friends—Fahad and Kamrul—were also involved in the incident. Subsequently, the police took Fahad and Kamrul into custody.
Based on the preliminary investigation and confessions, police reported that between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM on the day of the incident, Apratim resisted when an attempt was made to snatch his mobile phone. A scuffle ensued. At one point, Tuhin—followed by Fahad and Kamrul—struck Apratim on the head with bamboo sticks. Once his death was confirmed, Tuhin took the mobile phone and fled the area with his accomplices. The body was recovered the following day, Saturday afternoon, from the Sananda area of the Lalmai Hills.
Additionally, another youth named Siam has been detained on suspicion of involvement, and the evidence gathered against him is currently being verified.
According to the Superintendent of Police, the father of the arrested Saiful Islam Tuhin (19) is Noor Alam. He is a resident of the Sananda area in Ward No. 24 of the city. Tuhin dropped out of education after failing the eleventh-grade examinations at Cumilla City College. Mofazzal Hossain Fahad (15) resides in the Salmanpur (Member Bari) area of the same ward; he is a ninth-grade student at Mainamati Technical School and College. Md. Kamrul Hasan (18) hails from Hatigara village in the southern upazila, while Md. Siam (19) is a resident of Elahipur village in the same upazila.
The Superintendent of Police stated that an investigation is underway to determine if others were involved in the incident. No prior criminal records were found against the detainees. Tuhin, Fahad, and Kamrul have already been formally arrested in connection with the Apratim murder case
Regarding the other accused, Siam, the police will verify his involvement and expedite the investigation process before submitting the charge sheet (CS) to the court.
