Nahida Begum, Associate Professor of the Bengali Department at Comilla University, has expressed deep outrage over various campaigns on social media regarding her son, Ishayat Shahriar Apratim (13). She stated that amid the grief of losing her child, these online campaigns concerning Apratim are causing her further pain. Meanwhile, the President of the District Bar Association, Md. Shahidullah, announced that no member of the association will represent the accused in the Apratim murder case.
On Tuesday night, when leaders of the Comilla District Bar Association visited the bereaved family at their residence, Nahida Begum voiced her distress over the ongoing social media narratives surrounding her son.
Nahida Begum said, “He is my young child; I will never accept him being blamed. My innocent boy did not understand such things. By speaking sweetly to him, befriending him over a long period, and portraying him as a victim to everyone, they are now saying, ‘Look, he was one of our members, he played with us, and he died because of his own actions’—I will not accept this.”
She also alleged that her son is being victim-blamed in various ways through multiple Facebook accounts, questioning, “Why is my innocent child being subjected to victim blaming?”
Nahida Begum mentioned that while serving as the Acting Proctor of Comilla University at the beginning of 2025, she had handed over several drug addicts and dealers to the police. She added that if her son was targeted because of her past actions, she would not accept it either.
The university teacher further stated, “I am not seeking justice solely for my son. I am also deeply concerned about how many more children’s lives will be taken or ruined if those who murdered my son are released from prison. I demand a fair trial for this murder.”
Kaimul Huq, Public Prosecutor (PP) of the Comilla Court, visited the parents of Apratim at their residence on Tuesday night. Speaking on Wednesday morning, he stated that they went there to offer their condolences to the grieving family.
According to PP Kaimul Huq, Nahida Begum shared that a certain quarter has been spreading propaganda through social media and other platforms, alleging that Apratim led a disorderly lifestyle. While already devastated by the loss of her child, such propaganda is causing her additional distress.
Meanwhile, Md. Shahidullah, President of the Comilla District Bar Association, announced that no member of the association will defend the accused in the Apratim murder case.
He verbally conveyed this decision on Tuesday afternoon following an exchange of views meeting between the Comilla University administration and leaders of the District Bar Association.
Md. Shahidullah stated, “On humanitarian grounds, we have verbally decided that no member of the Bar Association will stand for the defense in the Apratim murder case.”
He clarified that this is not a formal written decision. Considering the brutal nature of the incident, a moral and principled consensus has been reached among the lawyers out of a sense of humanitarian responsibility.
However, he noted that state-appointed defense counsel will be arranged in accordance with existing laws to ensure the legal rights of the accused, adding that a one-sided trial might jeopardize fair justice.
The view-exchange meeting, held in the conference room of Comilla University, was attended by Vice-Chancellor Professor M. M. Shariful Karim, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammad Amjad Hossain Sarkar, Treasurer Professor Mohammad Belal Uddin, District Bar Association President Md. Shahidullah, PP Kaimul Huq, Government Pleader (GP) Tarek Abdullah, alongside other association leaders.
Faculty members, officials, staff, and students from various departments of the university were also present at the meeting.
