The death of a student from Rajshahi College in an accident on the night of Thursday, at the Rajshahi University (RU) campus has prompted expressions of grief from Vice-Chancellor Professor Saleh Hasan Naqib, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammad Main Uddin, and Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Farid Uddin Khan.
On Friday, the university’s public relations office issued a press release on the matter.
They prayed for the soul of the deceased and conveyed deep condolences to the grieving family.
The press release also said that a three-member investigation committee has been formed to look into the unexpected and tragic incident, with Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Mohammad Main Uddin as the convener.
The committee has been tasked with submitting its report quickly. The university administration expects cooperation from the law enforcement agencies and all involved parties in uncovering the truth behind the incident. The administration has urged everyone to refrain from spreading baseless and speculative news.
The press release further mentioned that on Thursday evening, at around 9pm, Shimul Shihab fell onto rods placed on the road for RCC paving, while riding his motorcycle at high speed on the under-construction road in front of the Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose Academic Building on the RU campus.
Nearby students quickly rushed him to the RU Medical Center and then to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, where the doctors declared him dead.
The mysterious death of the outsider student occurred at Rajshahi University (RU) around 10:30pm on Thursday, near the Jagadish Chandra Bose Academic Building
The deceased, Shimul, 21, was the son of Jamal Mia from the Middle Meherchandi Budhpara area in the Motihar police station. He was a student at Rajshahi College.
The circumstances of Shimul's death remain unclear, with three different accounts. Doctors report he died from brain bleeding, with no external injuries, while his family claims he was beaten. The proctor suggests it was an accident during an attempted escape on a motorcycle.
Eyewitnesses say Shimul tried to flee on his motorcycle after being chased but was blocked and beaten by students, leading to fatal injuries.
He was declared dead at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.
Shimul’s father claims his son was attacked with a bat by students after attempting to escape. An eyewitness thought the accident was a robbery attempt, and the boy was injured but not beaten at the time.
The RU proctor said the couple tried to escape after seeing a proctorial vehicle, and the accident occurred on an under-construction road. The boy was later declared dead.
The police are still investigating the incident.
An emergency doctor at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital said: "A patient was brought in from RU at around 11pm last night, but he was already dead. No external injuries were found on his body. The cause of death was bleeding in the brain. His body was sent to the morgue."
Regarding the incident, Abdul Malek, Officer-in-Charge of Motihar Police Station, said: "We are investigating the matter, but the exact details are still unclear. We are speaking to everyone involved and trying to ascertain the facts. No case has been filed yet, but it could be."