Hajee Danesh Univ: 26 charged with murder of 2 students after 5 years

The Criminal Investigation Department yesterday pressed charges against 26 people, including several local Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League leaders, in a case filed over the murder of two students of Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) in Dinajpur five years ago.

OC Ramzan Ali of CID in the district, also the investigation officer of the case, filed the charge sheet with the Chief Judicial Magistrate's court in the afternoon.

However, the court is yet to accept the charge sheet.

Md Zakaria 22, a BBA student, and Mahmudul Hasan Milton, 25, a student of the agriculture department of HSTU, were hacked to death on the roof of a dormitory of the university on the night of April 16 in 2015 during a clash between two Chhatra League factions over establishing supremacy on the campus.

The charge-sheeted accused are Abu Ibne Rajab, relieved president of Dinajpur Sweschhasebak League, Bishwajit Ghosh Kanchan, relieved general secretary of Dinajpur Sadar upazila AL, Zakaria Zakir, general secretary of Dinajpur district Sweschhasebak League, AL leader Sirajul Salekin Rana, Jubo League leader Mahmudur Rahman Masum, BCL leaders Sabbir Ahmed Sujan, Mahmudul Hasan, Harun Ur Rashid, Ruhul Kuddus Joha and Nahid Ahmed Nayon, Rashidul Islam, Rakibul Islam Mithun, Mominul Islam, Aminul Islam, Nazmul Ahsan, Kamruzzaman, Jewel Islam, Nahid Ali, Tayef Bin Sharif, Abu Hares, Azizar Rahman, Arman Biswas, Arafat Hossain, Shahidul Islam, Abu Sayeed Seru and Ashraful Alam.

Among the 26, Rajab and Sabbir are now behind bars. Rajab was relieved of his post as president of Dinajpur Sweschhasebak League after he was picked up by law enforcers last month. Sabbir was also arrested on the same day.

Sources in the AL said the party has recommended Rajab's expulsion from Sweschhasebak League.

Kamrul Huda Helal, office secretary of Dinajpur district AL, said party leaders accused of the double murder have been relieved of their posts. A letter was sent to central AL leaders urging them to expel the accused from the party, he added.

The probe in the case hardly saw any progress for several years due to various reasons.

The investigation gained some momentum early this year after the victims' parents had met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also the AL president, and sought her intervention to ensure justice for their sons.

Following the double murder in 2015, the victims' relatives had filed the case with Dinajpur Sadar Police Station. The case was transferred to Dinajpur CID late last year.