Ex-JnU Prof Anwara Begum arrested, sent to jail in attempted murder case
She had been named in the case filed by a former JnU Chhatra Dal leader at the Sutrapur Police Station over an incident that took place in July last year
A Dhaka court today (29 May) sent former Jagannath University (JnU) professor and freedom fighter SM Anwara Begum to jail in connection with an attempted murder case related to the July Uprising.
The Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court issued the order, after Anwara, who is in her 80s, was produced before the court by police with a plea to send her to jail, according to court sources.
The defence counsel, however, submitted a bail petition. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court rejected the bail plea and sent her to prison.
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A former political science professor at JnU and a former Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) member during the Awami League government's term, Anwara was arrested yesterday evening (28 May) from near JnU campus.
She had been named in a case filed by former JnU Chhatra Dal general secretary Sujon Molla, with the city's Sutrapur Police Station.
The station's Sub-Inspector AKM Hasan Mahmudul Kabir, also the case investigation officer, said Anwara was one of the accused named in the FIR. "She was identified and held by students before we proceeded with the formal arrest."
According to the case statement, the incident took place on 19 July 2023, during a protest organised by Student Against Discrimination near Star Hotel at Ray Shaheb Bazar. Live ammunition was reportedly fired at the protesters by members of the JnU unit of now now-banned Bangladesh Chhatra League, allegedly incited by pro-Awami League faculty members.
Sujon, who was shot in the left eye during the attack, filed a case with Sutrapur police on 16 February this year, naming 193 individuals, including 94 pro-Awami League teachers, officials, and student leaders. Anwara is listed as the 43rd accused in the case.
