A three-member committee has been constituted to identify individuals responsible for the murder of Abu Sayed, a 12th batch English student at Begum Rokeya University who was murdered by police during an anti-discrimination protest on July 16.

The committee will determine who is involved (teachers, students, and staff) and what the punishment will be.

Professor Dr Shawkat Ali, the university’s new Vice-Chancellor, announced the committee’s formation on Monday, and Mohammad Ali, the extra head of the university’s public relations department, verified it.

The committee comprises Professor Dr Mizanur Rahman, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, as the chairperson; Associate Professor Md Amir Sharif from the Accounting and Information Systems department as a member; and Proctor Dr Ferdous Rahman as the member secretary.

The committee has been instructed to submit its investigation report within the next seven working days.

Why new probe committee?
This committee comes in the wake of an earlier investigation committee formed on August 4, led by former Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Hasibur Rashid, with Professor Matiur Rahman as the chair.

Professor Rahman stated that during the initial investigation, they obtained numerous audio, video, and photographs showing many university officials using batons to suppress the protesters, with some instructing the police to shoot.

Although they collected substantial information, some students discouraged them from continuing the investigation, leading to their withdrawal.

However, he mentioned that several officials and staff members from the university are implicated in Abu Said’s murder, even though their names did not appear in the initial case.

Since the arrival of the new Vice-Chancellor, there have been continuous demands from faculty, students, and staff for accountability regarding the involvement of university personnel in the murder of Abu Sayed.

Many have not attended university since August 5.

Additionally, in the case filed by Abu Sayed elder brother, Ramjan Ali, the names of two university teachers and several student leaders are mentioned in the case document, preventing other suspects from being held accountable.

Moreover, viral videos from the incident show several faculty and staff members involved, which were shown to the new Vice-Chancellor by the teachers and students.

Viral video
In the viral video, it can be seen that before Abu Sayed was shot, a proctor office official, Rafiqul Hasan Russell, was seen instructing the police to shoot Sayed. Security officer Touhidul Islam Joni is saying the same thing. Additionally, several pro-Awami League officials and employees of the university have been seen preparing to attack Abu Sayed and other protesters, who were leading the anti-quota movement, with sticks in hand or wearing helmets.

Among them are Deputy Director and Exam Controller Ershaduzzaman Kajol, Moniruzzaman Palash with a stick, and Hafizur Rahman Tufan, the younger brother of the former president of the Rangpur metropolitan Awami League, Shafiqur Rahman.

Deputy Exam Controller Ershaduzzaman, administrative officer Amir Hossain from the Public Administration department, Anwar Hossain from the Mathematics department, exam office employee Mamun, Biochemistry faculty employee Biplob, Deputy Director of the Finance Department Rezaul, Mathematics teacher Mashiur Rahman, and many others including the Pro-Vice Chancellor’s personal secretary Abul Kalam Azad were seen present at the scene in the video.

Students and teachers have stated that Abul Kalam Azad was one of the key figures in the incident. Most of these individuals are not on the list of accused in the Abu Sayed murder case.

The vice chancellor has formed a three-member investigation committee in response to the viral video.

The vice chancellor has announced that all individuals involved in Abu Sayed’s murder from the university will be identified, and a case will be filed on behalf of the university.

Debates risen over autopsy report

Since Abu Sayed’s death, various questions have arisen regarding the autopsy report that has gone viral on social media.

After his death, a report was prepared in the presence of a magistrate, along with an autopsy.

However, this report does not match the autopsy report that has gone viral on social media.

Regarding this, the plaintiff in the Abu Sayed murder case, his older brother Ramzan Ali’s lawyer Rokon Uddin has stated that they have copies of both the report and the autopsy.

The report indicates that in the presence of the executive magistrate Ahmed Sadat, the officer-in-charge of the case, former officer Tariqul Islam of the Tajhat police station in Rangpur, noted that there were numerous injury marks on the chest and abdomen of the deceased, which were caused by rubber bullets or shotgun pellets. There were also injury marks on the back of his head.

It was observed that there was clotted blood in the mouth and right eye, and blood was seen coming from both nostrils.

The autopsy report stated that the cause of death was due to shock and hemorrhage, resulting from bullet injuries in various parts of his body.

In the report, the forensic doctor who conducted the autopsy, Dr Mohammad Rajibul Islam from Rangpur Medical College, mentioned in the report that Abu Sayed’s body was severely injured by numerous pellets, leading to excessive blood loss and his subsequent death.

Despite numerous attempts to contact Dr Rajibul Islam at his mobile number he did not answer the calls.

On the other hand, the plaintiff’s lawyer, Rokon Uddin, mentioned that the autopsy report clearly states that there were injuries on the back of Abu Sayed’s head, which were caused by multiple bullets.

Therefore, there is no dispute regarding the cause of his death, and he noted that confusion is being spread on social media.

Source : Dhaka Tribune