16-year-old Mahim granted bail in Abu Sayeed murder case

A court in Rangpur has granted bail to Alfi Shahriar Mahim, an 11th grader in the Abu Sayeed murder case centering quota reform movement at Begum Rokeya University.

The bail was granted by Judge Mostafa Kamal of Juvenile Court-1 at 12:50 PM on Thursday, August 1, with a bond of Tk100, confirmed Mahim's lawyer, Zobaidul Islam to the Daily Sun.

The case, initially registered at Metropolitan Tajhat Police Station, was transferred due to Mahim being a minor. 

Although the initial hearing was scheduled for August 4, the defence requested an earlier hearing, leading to the bail order on Thursday.

The incident drew significant attention after Mahim's sister, Sanzana Akhter Sneha, posted on Facebook on Wednesday, seeking her brother's whereabouts. 

This post highlighted the case, prompting action from the authorities. Mahim's detention had initially gone unnoticed by the concerned parties.

Investigation officer, Sub-Inspector Zillur Rahman of Tajhat Police Station, stated that Mahim was involved in picketing during the July 17 fire incident at Tajhat Police Station.

He was reportedly detained by a Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) team at the scene. However, Mahim's family claims he was apprehended by law enforcement on the afternoon of July 18.

Mahim, who passed his SSC from Siddiq Memorial School and College in Ashratpur, Rangpur last year, is currently an 11th-grade student at Rangpur Police Lines School and College. His father, Mohammad Shahjalal, is a small businessman in the Chakbazar area of Rangpur.

The bail comes against the backdrop of the violent clashes on July 16 at Begum Rokeya University, resulting in the death of Abu Sayeed.

The next day, Sub-Inspector Bibhuti Bhushan Roy of the university's police outpost filed a case at Tajhat Police Station, leading to several arrests, including Mahim’s.