Rangpur OC transferred over arrest of Begum Rokeya University teacher in controversial murder case

The officer-in-charge (OC) of Rangpur city's Hajirhat Police Station has been transferred following public criticism over the arrest of a Begum Rokeya University teacher in connection with a case filed over the murder of a grocery store owner during last year's July Uprising.

OC Abdul Al Mamun Shah was transferred to the Detective Branch (DB) of Rangpur Metropolitan Police (RMP) and assigned additional duties at the Police Training School.

The move follows mounting criticism over the arrest of Assistant Professor Mahmudul Haque of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at Begum Rokeya University.

A formal order signed by RMP Commissioner Md Majid Ali yesterday (21 June) appointed Inspector Md Rajibul Islam as the new OC of Hajirhat Police Station.

However, he has not yet assumed the role. In the interim, Sub-Inspector (SI) Rashed is the station's in charge until Rajibul takes office, which the SI himself confirmed to TBS.

The controversy centres around the arrest of Mahmudul on 19 June from his residence in the Dhap Engineer Para area of Rangpur.

He was arrested in connection with a murder case filed 10 months after the death of Somesh Uddin, who was described as a veteran of the July movement.

Police later presented Mahmudul before the Rangpur Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, which denied his bail and ordered his detention.

The arrest sparked immediate backlash, particularly from academic circles and student communities.

Mahmudul's wife Masuba Hasan Moon took to his Facebook account to protest the arrest, describing the charges as "entirely false" and "part of a planned conspiracy".

"My husband was picked up from our residence in the Dhap area of Rangpur at around 3:30pm this afternoon by police from Hajirhat Police Station under Rangpur Metropolitan Police and taken directly to court," Masuba wrote on Facebook.

"He has been taken to court in connection with a murder case. My husband has no involvement in any such crime. He is completely innocent. This is a false and fabricated case, orchestrated in a planned manner. On behalf of his beloved students, respected colleagues, fellow journalism professionals, and well-wishers, I appeal for your support," she added.

Court documents revealed that on 3 June, Amena Begum, the wife of deceased grocery shop owner Somesh, filed the murder case at Hajirhat Police Station.

The case controversially named 54 people as accused, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader. Mahmudul was listed as the 54th accused.

Following the arrest, students, faculty members, and civil society actors have staged protests demanding Mahmudul's immediate release, claiming he is innocent and being victimised for political reasons.