“CBI’s failure to arrest accused for eight years is shameful": Former student leader Laffiqul Islam’s family

The family of student leader and former president of the All BTC Minority Students’ Union (ABMSU), Laffiqul Islam, has expressed concern over the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) failure to arrest three accused in his murder case for nearly eight years.

The family has demanded a fresh and thorough investigation into the killing and urged the investigating agency to establish the larger conspiracy behind the murder, including whether any political leader or influential person had ordered the killing.

The reaction followed the surrender of three accused in the case — Rupa Brahma, Bhadreswar Basumatary and Dinku Mushahary — before a CBI court in Guwahati on Saturday.

Speaking to PTI, Laffiqul Islam’s brother Mobibul Islam said the family had been seeking a proper investigation and stringent punishment for those responsible for the killing.

“It is extremely unfortunate that even after the CBI took over the investigation, the accused could not be arrested for eight years. Their surrender after such a long period is a matter of concern,” he said.

Mobibul urged the CBI to take the three accused into custody and conduct detailed questioning to determine the circumstances surrounding the murder and uncover the alleged conspiracy.

He also called upon the agency to investigate whether any political leader or influential individual had directed the killing and ensure that all those found responsible face stringent punishment.

According to the investigation, Brahma, Basumatary and Mushahary were named as prime accused in the case. The CBI had earlier announced a reward of ₹2 lakh each for information leading to their whereabouts.

Laffiqul Islam was shot dead in broad daylight at Titaguri in Kokrajhar town on September 1, 2017. The killing triggered widespread protests and outrage across the Bodoland region.

The case was initially investigated by a Special Investigation Team of the Assam Police before being handed over to the CBI.

The surrender of the three accused comes nearly eight years after the murder and has renewed the family’s demand for the investigation to establish not only the identities of those who allegedly carried out the killing but also the motive and possible involvement of others in the case.