Mahmudul Haque, a teacher at Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur, has demanded the suspension and legal action against Abdul Al Mamun, former officer-in-charge of Hajirhat police station, following his arrest in what he claims is a fabricated murder case.
The assistant professor voiced his demand during a press conference in front of the university's Kabi Heyat Mamud Building on Tuesday.
His arrest was linked to the death of a grocer who had reportedly died of a heart attack.
Mahmudul called for the formation of a probe committee to identify those involved in orchestrating his arrest.
He urged the interim government to implement his demands, warning that he would seek legal recourse and launch a movement if necessary.
Describing the arrest, Mahmudul said: “On June 19, after attending a university program, I returned home and had lunch with my son, who is in eighth grade. My wife and daughter were in Rajshahi at the time. Around 2:30pm, OC Abdul Al Mamun and several police officers, some in plainclothes and some in uniform, entered my home and asked for me by name. I told them I was Mahmudul Haque, a teacher in the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at Begum Rokeya University. The OC then claimed that a murder case had been filed against me at Hajirhat police station over the death of a grocer and that I was the 54th accused in the case.
“I have been a teacher for several years now and have never even heard of Hajirhat or that area, let alone any murder or death incident there. Despite that, the OC said I had to go with them. When I requested time to change clothes, they only allowed me 10 minutes to put on a pair of pants. I was not allowed to speak to anyone, not even my wife. They then took me away in a vehicle. I asked the OC if the university authorities or the metropolitan police commissioner had been informed about my arrest. At that point, the OC made a phone call to Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Majid Ali, who seemingly gave the green signal to arrest me.
“Instead of being taken to Hajirhat, I was taken straight to Kotwali police station. The OC there saw me but said nothing. They quickly processed the paperwork and took me directly to court and placed me in the court's holding cell. I was produced in court shortly afterwards, where a judge ordered that I be sent to jail within just four seconds. I was again taken to the court's holding cell. I was not even allowed to speak with my lawyer. Later, my lawyer arrived. I was made the 54th accused in a case involving the heart attack death of a man in the Hajirhat area. I was granted bail on Sunday. I was unwell, and like me, many others are being victimized through false and fabricated cases. Despite having no political affiliations, many are suffering unbearably in jail.”
Mahmudul alleged that a syndicate has long been active within the university, conspiring to get him suspended.
"We had participated in the movement against discrimination, hoping it would reflect public aspirations. As an activist, I demand an end to the business of filing fake cases, removing names from case documents for money, and financially ruining families by withholding charge sheets. I hope the government will take action on behalf of people like us who are being persecuted.”
He also shared details of his professional background. “I worked in journalism in Dhaka for 16–17 years. I was at UNB and lastly served as the city editor at The Daily Star. I then worked as a consultant for various local and international rights organizations. I joined teaching six and a half years ago. At Begum Rokeya University, I was an active participant in the anti-corruption movement. I prepared a 790-page corruption dossier against a former vice-chancellor and filed a case for dishonouring the national flag. A certain group started conspiring against me because of this.”
Notably, Hajirhat police station OC Abdul Al Mamun was transferred this week following public criticism over the arrest of Mahmudul Haque in a case filed over the murder of a grocery store owner during last year's July uprising.
Mamun was transferred to the Detective Branch (DB) of the Rangpur Metropolitan Police (RMP).