Police say Aprotim was beaten to death over iPhone

Police have arrested three people in connection with the killing of child Ishayat Shahriar Aprotim in Cumilla, saying he was taken to an isolated forest in the Sananda area of Lalmai Hills in an attempt to snatch his iPhone.

According to information obtained during interrogation, Aprotim resisted the attempt, leading to a scuffle. Police said Tuhin, Fahad and Kamrul then repeatedly struck him on the head with sturdy bamboo sticks and fled with his iPhone after confirming his death.

Cumilla Superintendent of Police Md Anisuzzaman disclosed the details at a press conference at his office at around 2pm on Sunday (September 20).

The SP said police launched an investigation based on a general diary filed over the incident. After reviewing CCTV footage from the area around the scene, investigators found that Tuhin had taken Aprotim to the forested Sananda area of Lalmai Hills between around 2pm and 2:15pm on September 18.

After Aprotim's body was recovered, police reviewed the CCTV footage again and identified Tuhin, who had been with the victim. Police took him into custody before learning about Aprotim's death, the SP said.

During prolonged questioning, Tuhin allegedly told police that he had planned to take Aprotim to the isolated location to steal his iPhone. He also told investigators that Fahad and one of Fahad's friends were involved, according to the SP.

Police subsequently took Fahad into custody and questioned him. Fahad allegedly identified his friend Kamrul as another person involved in the killing. Based on his information, police then took Kamrul into custody.

The SP said Tuhin initially misled investigators about the location of the phone. Police conducted raids at three places in an attempt to recover it but failed to find the device. They later searched Tuhin's home based on his statement and recovered the iPhone from a place he identified.

According to the preliminary investigation, the attack took place between 5pm and 6pm on September 18 in the isolated forest surrounded by hills in Sananda. Police said the three suspects attempted to take Aprotim's iPhone, but he resisted, resulting in a physical struggle.

Tuhin allegedly struck Aprotim first, followed by Fahad and Kamrul, who repeatedly hit him on the head with bamboo sticks, police said. After determining that Aprotim had died, Tuhin took the iPhone and left the scene with Fahad and Kamrul, according to the police account.

Police have also detained another person named Siam and are verifying information about his alleged involvement, the SP said.

Tuhin, Fahad and Kamrul have already been arrested in the murder case, while investigators are examining whether anyone else was involved.

The SP said police would complete the investigation and submit a police report or charge sheet to the court as soon as possible. He also said police would request the court to dispose of the case quickly, referring to the swift verdict in the Ramisa murder case.