Comilla University (CU) Associate Professor Dr. Nahida Begum’s only son Ishayat Shahriar Apratim (13) was killed in a premeditated manner to snatch his iPhone, police said.
Three people, Tuhin, Fahad and Kamrul, have been arrested for their involvement in the murder. Another person, Siam, has been arrested and his involvement is being investigated.
District Police Superintendent Md. Anisuzzaman gave this information at a briefing organized on the progress of the investigation into the unprecedented murder case in Comilla on Sunday (September 20).
The Superintendent of Police said that at the beginning of the investigation, CCTV footage of the scene and surrounding areas was reviewed. The footage analysis showed that between 2 pm and 2.15 am on September 18, Tuhin took Apratim to a secluded forest surrounded by hills in the Sananda area of Lalmai Hills. Later, after Apratim’s body was recovered, Tuhin was identified through further review of the CCTV footage and was taken into custody before the news of his death was received.
Anisuzzaman said that during interrogation, Tuhin told the police that he was taken to a secluded place with the intention of snatching the iPhone that was in Aparatim’s possession. When Aparatim resisted while taking the iPhone, a scuffle broke out. At one point, Tuhin, Fahad and Kamrul hit him on the head repeatedly with a bamboo stick. After Aparatim died, they fled the scene with the iPhone.
The Superintendent of Police said, based on the information provided by Tuhin, Fahad was taken into custody and interrogated. According to the information provided by Fahad, the involvement of Kamrul in the murder came to light. Later, Kamrul was also taken into custody.
He also said that Tuhin initially misled the police to recover the iPhone. According to the information he provided, the phone could not be found even after raids were conducted at three places. Later, according to Tuhin’s confession and evidence, a raid was conducted at his house and the unique iPhone was recovered from there.
According to the initial police investigation, an attempt was made to snatch Aparat’s iPhone between 5 and 6 pm on the day of the incident in a secluded forest in Sananda area. When he tried to stop him, first Tuhin and then Fahad and Kamrul hit him on the head with a stick. After the death was confirmed, Tuhin left the scene with the iPhone along with others.
The Superintendent of Police said, “Tuhin, Fahad and Kamrul have already been arrested in the murder case. Another person named Siam has been arrested and the information against him is being verified. Whether anyone else is involved in the incident is also being investigated seriously.”
He said that after completing the investigation, initiatives will be taken to submit a police report or charge sheet to the court as soon as possible. At the same time, an application will be made to the court for the speedy disposal of the case.