DU student seen charging at women with stick in TSC video is accused in Gazipur murder case
The student, identified as Md Rakib Ahmed, is a 2023–24 session student of the Department of World Religions and Culture at Dhaka University. He is also accused in the murder of Sabbir Hossain in Gazipur’s Kaliakair upazila.
A Dhaka University student who was seen advancing aggressively with a stick toward two women in the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) area has been identified as a prime accused in a murder case in Gazipur.
The student, identified as Md Rakib Ahmed, is a 2023–24 session student of the Department of World Religions and Culture at Dhaka University. He is also accused in the murder of Sabbir Hossain in Gazipur's Kaliakair upazila.
Rakib's twin brother, Md Sakib, is also named as an accused in the same case.
When asked about the matter, Khandakar Nasir Uddin, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kaliakair Police Station told The Business Standard that the case was investigated by the Detective Branch (DB) of police, and therefore the responsibility to arrest the accused lies with them.
Md Hasmat Ullah, officer-in-charge (OC) of Gazipur DB said the DB police completed the investigation and submitted the charge sheet to the court. "However, we are unaware whether the court has issued any arrest warrants against the accused or whether the accused have secured bail."
He added that they will inquire with the court next Sunday. "If arrest warrants have been issued, necessary steps will be taken to arrest the accused with assistance from the concerned police station."
According to the case statement, Sabbir was hacked and thrown from the rooftop of a 10-storey building in the Safipur Paschimpara area on 9 September 2024.
The victim's elder brother, Mahiuddin Abir, filed a murder case with Kaliakair Police Station, naming Rakib, Sakib, and another individual as accused.
Abir alleged that although the Gazipur DB police submitted a charge sheet to the court five to six months ago, no arrest warrants have yet been issued, and the accused have not been detained.
He claimed that Rakib has been seen publicly on several occasions, including on the university campus, but police have taken no visible action despite being informed.
Meanwhile, a video that went viral on social media shows Rakib holding a stick and charging toward two women in the TSC area in the early hours of Wednesday (25 February). The women alleged they were harassed and assaulted without provocation after visiting the campus following sehri in Old Dhaka.
The video that circulated on social media shows the two women demanding justice and describing the incident.
In the footage, one of the women says they had eaten sehri in Nazirabazar of Old Dhaka before coming to TSC, where they were standing.
She alleges that, without provocation, a university student began slapping the bike rider who was with them. When the women protested, the accused student allegedly attacked them and made obscene remarks.
The woman further claims that the student addressed them as "prostitutes." Expressing anger, she says they were not safe in front of the university and questioned why they were being assaulted.
Another woman is heard saying in the video, "Why would a Dhaka University student slap me? Am I not a citizen of Bangladesh? Can I not come here?"
The video also shows Rakib in a black T-shirt holding a stick and advancing toward the women in an aggressive manner.
Rakib had reportedly been in charge of the Gazipur-1 constituency under the seat-based coordination committee of Jatiyotabadi Chhatra Dal ahead of the 13th national election.
Another DU student, Shahriya Tushar, is seen in the video engaging in a verbal altercation with the women.
DU Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed told TBS that two men who were with the women – Touhidul Islam, a bike rider, and Ashik Mia, a friend – submitted a written complaint to the proctor's office.
He said a three-member probe committee has been formed, headed by Assistant Proctor AKM Nur Alam Siddiqi, and has been asked to submit its report as quickly as possible.
According to the proctor, the names of four to five individuals allegedly involved in the incident have been identified initially. Relevant information, including CCTV footage, has been handed over to the committee.
"The committee will conduct a thorough analysis and submit a final report, and action will be taken accordingly," he said.
