Case filed against ex-JU VC, 213 others over attack on students during July Movement

A case has been filed against 214 individuals, including the former vice-chancellor and former proctors of Jahangirnagar University, for attacking students in front of the VC's residence on 15 July.

Sazzadul Islam, 23, a student of the university's English department, filed the case with Ashulia police station under the Penal Code and the Explosives Act on Saturday night (28 September), naming 14 people and keeping 200 others unnamed, said Abu Bakar Siddique, the officer in charge of Ashulia police station.

Former VC Md Nurul Alam has been made the prime accused in the case, while former proctors Prof Alamgir Kabir, ASM Firoz Ul Hasan, Associate Professor Mehedi Iqbal, Dean of Social Science Faculty Prof Bashir Ahmed, Associate Professor Ikhtiar Uddin Bhuiyan, former VC Prof Sharif Enamul Kabir, Prof Farid Ahmed and Prof Israfil Ahmed have also been accused.

Some staff and leaders of Bangladesh Chhatra League have also been accused in the case, the OC said.

According to the case statement, the plaintiff and 100 other students had gathered in front of the VC's residence on the evening of 15 July to protest the attacks on them by Chhatra League leaders and activists.

The former VC and some teachers were dilly-dallying in the name of discussion. Instead of listening to the students, they threatened them.

Later, Chhatra League leaders and activists led by its JU President Aktaruzzaman Sohel and General Secretary Habibur Rahman launched an attack on the students following direct orders from the university teachers and administration, the case statement said.

The case statement added that at least 15 students were injured in the attack, and many others were confined within the VC's residence.

During the attack, the attackers were seen carrying machetes, weapons and petrol bombs, read the case statement.

"I have filed the case to seek justice for the attacks on us on that night. I hope police will arrest the accused quickly and put them before the law," said Sazzadul.