The Jahangirnagar University (JU) administration has apprehended an autorickshaw driver suspected to be responsible for the death of a first-year student last week and turned him over to Ashulia police.
Ashulia police took Arju into custody at around 2am on Monday after JU security officials apprehended him near the Gerua area, adjacent to the university, the previous afternoon and brought him to the proctor's office.
Ashulia police station Sub-Inspector Alok Kumar, who is investigating a case filed over Afsana Karim Rachi’s death, said mobile tracking showed Arju was at JU on the evening of November 19 – the day she died – although he was outside the campus before and after that time.
The police officer added that Arju had attempted to sell the autorickshaw and had made inconsistent statements. “He is now in custody for further questioning."
Previously, witnesses of the November 19 accident, including passerby Nayeem and rickshaw passengers Abu Hayat and Nahid, identified the suspect.
Nayeem said he was heading towards the library near the Shaheed Minar when he heard screams after the accident. He added that he rushed to the scene and took the severely injured student to the JU Medical Centre at about 7:45pm.
“I could partially identify the rickshaw driver."
Meanwhile, Nahid and Hayat said they were sure “this is the same rickshaw.”
They reported that the seat had been changed, and the front light, broken during the accident, was still there, adding that the rickshaw had been freshly painted.
JU acting proctor Dr AKM Rashidul Alam said: “When we found the driver, he had severe pain in his left hand and bruises near his neck. He claimed the injuries were from 15 days ago, but a medical examination confirmed they were recent. We suspect the injuries are from the accident."
Investigations revealed that Arju sold the rickshaw to Masud, the owner of Masud Auto Parts in Savar’s Chhayabithi area, for Tk75,000.
To avoid suspicion, the sale document was backdated to November 18, a day before the accident.
During primary interrogation by the JU authorities, Arju denied his involvement, claiming he did not drive autorickshaws. “My hand was injured 15 days ago. I sold the rickshaw at a lower price because the battery was faulty. I was not at Jahangirnagar that day."
Dr Abu Sayed Md Mostafizur Rahaman, a member of an investigation committee formed by JU to probe the incident, said: "We first detained Arju early on Sunday and became convinced of his involvement. After the accident, he sold the autorickshaw to Masud with help from broker Milon, altering its parts to destroy evidence.
“Today, we detained him again, and based on collected evidence, call data records and other proof, turned him over to the police for further investigation."
Afsana Karim Rachi, a student from the 53rd batch (2023-24 session) of the Department of Marketing and a resident of Begum Khaleda Zia Hall, died after being struck by an autorickshaw on campus on November 19.
Rachi was a former student of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College and the daughter of businessman Md Rezaul Karim from Sherpur.
Eyewitnesses reported that she was crossing the road in front of the New Arts Building when a speeding battery-run autorickshaw coming from the opposite direction hit her, forcefully throwing her into a tree.
Rachi was first taken to the JU Medical Centre, but due to the severity of her condition, she was transferred to Enam Medical College Hospital in Savar. Upon her arrival, the on-duty physician declared her dead.
Duty manager Sabuj said she was brought to the hospital at exactly 7:30pm.
“We found her dead upon arrival. While there were no major visible injuries on her body, her teeth and gums were completely dislodged. It is likely that this injury led to her death."
JU Assistant Registrar Mohammed Abu Sayed (Security), on behalf of the university, filed a case over the death at Ashulia police station on November 20.
