Four Arrested in Opratim Murder Case; Home Minister Confirms Confession

Four individuals have been arrested so far in connection with the murder of Ishayat Shahriar Opratim, a seventh-grade student at Comilla Border Guard Public School. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed stated that the arrested individuals have confessed to the crime.

He disclosed this information on Sunday (September 20) during a briefing on the law and order situation held at the Secretariat.

The Home Minister described the incident in Comilla as extremely tragic. Opratim, who was approximately 13 years old, went missing, and his body was recovered within 24 hours.

He noted that the suspects were arrested within about 12 hours of the body's recovery. Initially, three people were arrested, followed by the arrest of another individual, bringing the total number of arrests to four. Further legal proceedings against them are currently underway.

The Home Minister also mentioned that the mobile phone Opratim had with him has been recovered. According to him, the phone was seized from the prime suspect, Tuhin.

He added that necessary evidence regarding the incident has been obtained, and the arrested individuals have admitted their involvement. The police are now working on recording their statements under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure as part of the legal process.

Verification regarding the ages of the arrested individuals is also in progress. According to the Home Minister, two of them may be over 18 years old, while one is likely under 18. Necessary information, including National Identity Card (NID) details, is being verified in this regard.

He stated that the accused were acquainted with Opratim and used to associate with him. Preliminary reports indicate that they are approximately five to ten years older than Opratim.

Expressing hope for a speedy trial in the Opratim murder case, the Home Minister said the police would assist in filing the charge sheet quickly after completing the necessary legal procedures. The judicial proceedings will be conducted through the court.

Thirteen-year-old Opratim was a seventh-grade student at Comilla Border Guard Public School. His mother, Nahida Begum, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Bangla at Comilla University.

On Friday afternoon around 3:30 PM, Opratim left his home in the Kotbari area with his mother's iPhone to take photographs. He never returned home. After searching various locations without success, his family members filed a General Diary (GD) at the Sadar South Police Station. The next day, Saturday, the police recovered his body from a secluded spot next to Magic Paradise Park, adjacent to the university.