Former East West University (EWU) student Tajbir Hossain Shihan reportedly laid on the road for four and a half hours after being stabbed, as police allegedly failed to respond promptly despite being informed.
"Within 100 yards of the Mouchak Police Outpost, my son was murdered. In front of the security guards at the main gate of Hanif Spinning Mills—just a hand's distance away—muggers stabbed my son and left right in front of everyone. No one intervened—just for a robbery. How is this possible? My son laid on the road for four and a half hours, and no one came forward to help. When we got the news, my wife, younger son, and I immediately rushed to the scene. We informed the Mouchak Police Outpost, but they said it was the responsibility of the Highway Police. When we contacted the Highway Police, they said it was under Mouchak Outpost’s jurisdiction. As a result, my son remained there in a bloody state until 9:30am. I am speechless about all this."
These were the words of Shihan's father Tanvir Hossain Nannu.
Shihan, who graduated from EWU in 2023, was stabbed to death on December 12 at around 5am while on his way to work near Hanif Spinning Mills on the Dhaka-Tangail highway in Kaliakair, Gazipur.
Shihan worked as a junior executive (sales) at Sky Tech Solutions in Uttara, Dhaka, and lived with his parents in a rented house in Mouchak, Gazipur.
His father has since filed a case with Kaliakair Police Station regarding the murder.
Shihan’s father further said: "My son’s body lay there until 9:30am. It was only after my wife pleaded with a responsible officer that Mouchak Police Outpost finally retrieved the body. He had several deep cuts on his legs and thighs. I believe he died due to excessive blood loss after lying there for so long."
Tanvir, emphasizing that his son had no enmity with anyone, added: "He studied in Dhaka and never mingled unnecessarily with anyone in the area. He wasn’t involved in politics but did participate in anti-discrimination student movements."
A security guard from the main gate of Hanif Spinning Mills, speaking anonymously, confirmed that Shihan was lying on the road around 7am.
"We informed the Mouchak Outpost then. At around 7:30am, police officers came and said it was the Highway Police’s responsibility, not theirs, and they left. However, we couldn’t find any Highway Police officers, and as a result, Shihan remained there until 9:30am."
Shihan’s uncle, Omar Faruq, said in the case statement that the spot in front of Hanif Spinning Mills’ gate was identified as the crime scene.
"The motive behind committing murder in such a populated area needs thorough investigation. Police should investigate impartially to determine whether the murder was a premeditated act or part of a robbery. We want justice for Shihan and trust the police for proper investigation."
Omar added: "On December 12, at around the same time, American International University Bangladesh (AIUB) student Wazed Shimanto, 20, was killed by muggers in Narayanganj. Both incidents were framed as robberies but appear to be murders. CID or other law enforcement units must look into these cases thoroughly. These incidents cannot simply be dismissed as robberies."
Gazipur Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Operations) Aminul Islam told reporters last Tuesday that Shihan was attacked by muggers near Hanif Spinning Mills early in the morning on December 12.
“The muggers stabbed Shihan in the knee and stole his mobile phone, student ID card, bank cards, wallet, and bag. He died on the spot from his injuries. Following the case filing, police launched an operation to identify and arrest those involved. They initially recovered Shihan’s phone from a stolen goods dealer named Anwar Hossain, who was arrested and led police to identify the primary suspects. On Monday night, six individuals were arrested in separate operations in Salna, Konabari, Basan, and Tongi."
The arrested suspects are Sarwar Hossain, 28, a bus driver from Mymensingh; Nazim Uddin, 35, an autorickshaw driver from Kurigram; Saiful Islam, 42, another autorickshaw driver from Kurigram; Md Jewel, 24, a bus helper from Lakshmipur; Md Milon, 27, a bus staff member from Joypurhat; and Anwar Hossain, 35, a tea vendor from Bhola.
Mouchak Police Outpost in-charge Mohidul Islam said: "The muggers stabbed Shihan indiscriminately in the knee, which caused his death on the spot. They are professional muggers and admitted to committing robberies in Chandra, Mouchak, Konabari, Chandana Chowrasta, Tongi, Salna, and Sreepur over the past two years. Five of the six arrested confessed their involvement in the murder before the Senior Judicial Magistrate Court in Gazipur. Sarwar Hossain, however, denied involvement, and a 10-day remand has been sought for him."
When asked if the arrested individuals had prior robbery or theft cases against them, Mohidul Islam replied: "We are currently unable to check our database due to server issues. Once resolved, we will verify their criminal history."
Aminul Islam added: "The suspects confessed to stabbing a covered van driver, Masudur Rahman, in the same area 20 minutes before attacking Shihan. They claimed their intent was not to kill Shihan but only to rob him. However, as Shihan struggled with them for 2-3 minutes during the mugging, they stabbed him in the knee. They said they didn’t anticipate that this would lead to his death. Even so, we are investigating the matter further."
