Apratim murder: Police say multiple clues found, several suspects being questioned
The body was recovered around noon today from a wooded area in Cumilla’s Kotbari, a day after he went missing.
Highlights
- Several suspects questioned, some in custody
- Missing iPhone emerges as possible motive
- Victim's body recovered from wooded area
- University coordinates with multiple law enforcement agencies
Police have found several clues in the killing of 13-year-old Ishayat Shahriar Apratim, the only son of a Comilla University teacher, and are questioning several people over their suspected involvement in the murder.
Confirming the development, Cumilla Superintendent of Police Md Anisuzzaman today (19 September) said investigators were examining whether the iPhone Apratim was carrying was the sole motive for the killing or whether there was another reason.
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"We have found several important clues in the murder. We will soon determine whether the iPhone was the only motive behind the killing or whether there was another reason," he said.
He said everyone involved in the murder would be brought to justice.
Sadar South Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Rakibul Islam said several people were being questioned, with some currently in police custody.
"Their names cannot be disclosed at this stage in the interest of the investigation," he said.
Police recovered Apratim's body and sent it to the morgue of Cumilla Medical College Hospital, the OC added.
Apratim went missing yesterday (18 September) after leaving home with his mother's iPhone to take photographs with friends following Jummah prayers.
His body was recovered around noon today from a wooded area south of South Mor in Cumilla's Kotbari area. Police said he had sustained severe injuries to his head.
According to his family, Apratim left their home in ward 24 of Kotbari under Sadar South Police Station at around 3:30pm yesterday.
He did not return home, prompting his family to search for him at several locations. His father later filed a general diary at Sadar South Police Station that evening.
Police and family members continued searching for him, while investigators reviewed CCTV footage from his last known location and surrounding areas of Comilla University.
Apratim was a Class VII student at Border Guard Public School and the only child of Comilla University Bangla Department Associate Professor Dr Nahida Begum and KM Firoz Shahriar.
Several people questioned
According to multiple sources, a young man named Tuhin, who had been with Apratim from the afternoon, may be linked to the killing. The sources said he is currently in police custody.
Police have not officially confirmed his alleged involvement.
Abdul Quader Jilani, the first person to find Apratim's body, said he had gone to the area to cut bamboo.
He said a boy accompanying him initially thought someone was sleeping there, but they realised something was wrong after noticing an injury to the victim's head.
"We were frightened. A little later, we met someone named Mamun, who said the teacher's son was missing. After we told him what we had found, he went to the spot and confirmed that it was Apratim's body," Jilani said.
Cumilla University Proctor Professor Abdul Hakim said the university had been coordinating with police, the Detective Branch, the Special Response Battalion and other law enforcement agencies since Apratim was reported missing.
"Unfortunately, we could not find the boy alive. The mother's iPhone that he had with him is also missing," he said.
Following news of the murder, local lawmaker Monirul Haque Chowdhury visited the scene and directed the authorities to take swift action against those responsible.
