Home Minister vows swift justice for Apratim's murder

Expressing hope for swift justice, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said that the trial of 13-year-old Apratim will be completed swiftly, just as the Ramisa murder case was dealt with quickly.

While responding to reporters at the Secretariat on Sunday, the minister also assured that police would provide all necessary support to ensure the case proceeds without delay.

Calling Apratim's death a 'tragic incident,' Salahuddin said the entire country was deeply saddened by the killing of the Class VII student.

He said Apratim was reported missing on Friday and his body was recovered within about 24 hours. According to the minister, four suspects have so far been arrested-- three earlier and another on Sunday -- and they have confessed to the crime. 

''The legal process is now underway.'' 

The minister said investigators were still verifying the ages of the suspects through their national identification records. He said two of them were believed to be over 18, while another could be under 18.

Salahuddin added that the suspects had known Apratim and regularly socialised with him, and that some were reportedly five to 10 years older than the victim.

Salahuddin also said police had recovered the iPhone Apratim was carrying when he went missing from the home of a prime suspect identified as Tuhin. 

Police had earlier confirmed the recovery of the phone from Tuhin’s residence in the Sananda area.