A man, on suspicion of being a thief, was lynched by the students of Dhaka University on Wednesday night.
The incident took place at the Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall.
The deceased, identified as Tofazzal from Barisal, was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where doctors declared him dead.
Witnesses said that students caught Tofazzal around 8:30-9pm, suspecting him of theft. He was beaten multiple times in the hall's guestroom until 10pm.
At one point, he was even fed at the university canteen before being assaulted again. His condition worsened after prolonged interrogation, and he was taken to the hospital around midnight, where he was pronounced dead.
DMCH Police Outpost In-Charge Md Faruk confirmed the death and said that the body has been kept in the morgue for autopsy.
After the incident went viral on social media, it was later revealed that Tofazzal had mental health conditions. He entered the hall unintentionally.
Following his death, students demanded justice, organizing protests and a rally at the Raju Sculpture.
Abu Bakr Majumdar, a coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, condemned the incident, likening it to a recent similar tragedy at Jahangirnagar University.
He called for immediate legal action and expressed concern over the disregard for basic human rights in such cases.
DU initiative
Around 4:30am on Thursday, Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed went Dhaka Medical College before inspecting various areas of Fazlul Huq Hall, including the old and extension guestrooms where the victim was assaulted. He sealed both rooms.
Following a meeting in the hall provost’s office with Provost Shah Md Masum and other hall officials, the proctor announced that the university administration would file a case later.
The hall administration will review CCTV footage and submit a report to the proctor’s office. Based on the report, initial disciplinary action will be taken against those responsible.
A formal investigation committee will be formed, and after further inquiry, final decisions will be made.