Six months have already passed since the killing of Rajshahi University teacher Prof AFM Rezaul Karim Siddique, but no charge sheet has been pressed by the police yet.
On April 23, suspected Islamic extremists hacked him to death in Shalbagan area of Rajshahi city. Rezaul Karim Siddique was a teacher of the Department of English at Rajshahi University.
Risayet Imtiaz Saurav, son of Rezaul Karim told the Dhaka Tribune that the family is frustrated over the slow progress of the case. They wanted a submission of the charge sheet after the arrest of main accused, Shariful Islam.
He said: “We are hoping that police will conclude investigation of the case soon.”
Rezwana Hasin Sotobhi, daughter of Rezaul Karim Siddique, said they had become frustrated, as police could not a submit charge sheet over the killing. She said: “We heard that main accused of the case is now in India, he went into hiding soon after the killing.”
Md Shahidullah, a teacher of the department and President of Shikhak Samity, demanded the administration take steps to move the case forward saying: “We do not want to lose any teacher.”
Professor Masud Akktar, another teacher of the department, said: “Six months have passed after the killing of Rezaul Karim sir. In the six months, teachers and students of Bangladesh observed many agitation programmes, but to no avail.”
Sources at police said investigation of the case was on the right track. Police would submit charge sheet of the case at the right time. After the murder of Rezaul Karim, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, Health Minister Mohammad Nasim visited the university and assured of a speedy trial.
According to police sources, four accused of the case had been killed in crossfire in separate places across the country.
Of the accused, Nazrul Islam alias Bike Hasan was killed in Rajshahi while Tareq Hasan alias Nilu Osman, Sultan Mahmud alias Kamal in Dhaka and Ripon in Bogra.
Apart from this, police have arrested 12 people so far in connection with the killing. Of the arrestees, four people, including Maskawath Hasan Sakib, a leader of the banned Islamic outfit Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen of Bangaldesh, gave a confessional statement before a court.
Another accused of the case, Hafizur Rahman, an activist of Shibir, was killed in police custody.
Rezaus Sadik, inspector of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) and also investigation officer of the case, said they had almost completed their investigation.
“We will submit a charge sheet of the case soon,” he said.
Spokesman of the RMP Iftekhayer Alam said they were trying to arrest Shariful Islam, the main accused of the case.
After the murder, investigators said Rezaul Karim Siddique was an easy target for the fresh members of New JMB militant group who wanted to show their ability to their high-commanders.
On the day of the murder, Risayet Imtiaz Saurav filed a case with Boalia police station.
Seven militants, who were told that Prof Rezaul was an atheist, took part in the killing mission.
Some of them were unaware of the fact that the music enthusiast teacher used to donate to a madrasa and a mosque at his village home in Baghmara area of the district.
Thursday, June 04, 2026
