Dhaka, Feb 25 (V7N) – A death row convict in the murder case of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) student Abrar Fahad has escaped from prison, sparking serious security concerns.
The news of the escape was first revealed by Abrar Fahad's younger brother, Abrar Fayez, in a Facebook post on Monday night (February 24). Following the revelation, the Prisons Directorate issued a press release signed by Assistant Inspector General of Prisons (Development) Md. Jannat-ul-Farhad, detailing the incident.
Prison Break Incident
According to the press release, the escaped convict is Muntasir Al Jemi (26), prisoner number 5177/A, son of Abdul Majid from Kalyan village in Kendua upazila, Netrokona. Jemi was among 202 prisoners, including 87 death row inmates, who broke out of High-Security Central Jail in Gazipur on August 6, 2024, by breaking through the prison wall.
Authorities filed a case with Konabari Police Station on August 15, 2024, and alerted law enforcement agencies about the mass escape. Since then, 51 prisoners, including 35 death row inmates, have been recaptured, and efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest the remaining fugitives.
Current Status of the Convicts in the Abrar Fahad Murder Case
The press release further clarified that out of the 22 prisoners convicted in the Abrar Fahad murder case, 21 are still in custody, while Muntasir Al Jemi remains at large.
Background of the Case
Abrar Fahad, a second-year student of BUET, was brutally beaten to death by members of the university’s Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) unit on October 7, 2019, inside the university’s Sher-e-Bangla Hall. The murder sparked national outrage, leading to the arrest and conviction of 25 individuals, with 20 receiving the death penalty and five being sentenced to life in prison.
Concerns Over Security and Law Enforcement Efforts
The revelation of the escape nearly six months after the incident has raised serious questions about prison security and law enforcement efficiency. Authorities have assured that they are actively working to locate and capture the fugitive convicts.
This latest development has rekindled public anger, with many demanding swift action to ensure justice for Abrar Fahad and his family.
END/MSS/AJ
Comment: