Youth suspected of theft beaten to death at DU

A youth was allegedly beaten to death after being suspected to be a thief at the Fazlul Haque Hall of Dhaka University yesterday (18 September).

Sources of DU's proctorial body has confirmed the death of the youth, who was detained by the students of the hall yesterday evening.

The deceased has been identified as Tofazzal, hailing from Kathaltoli union in Patharghata upazila in Barguna district.

According to police, the youth doesn't have any family.

Eyewitnesses said that Tofazzal was perceived as a thief and detained by students around 8pm. He was beaten indiscriminately till 10pm, fed at the canteen, then beaten again until he collapsed.

Around 12am, Tofazzal was taken to DMCH with critical injuries, where the on-duty doctors declared him dead, said eyewitnesses.

In-Charge of DMCH police outpost Md Faruk confirmed Tofazzal's death and acknowledged that the youth had scars, bruises and injury marks all over his body. 

He also said that the body has been kept in the hospital's morgue.

DU Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed first went to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where Tofazzal was admitted following the beating, and witnessed the situation there at 4:30am. Later, the proctor returned to campus and inspected the various spots where the beating had taken place. He sealed off the guest rooms of the hall before leaving the place.

After holding a meeting with the house tutor and the hall provost of FH Hall Shah Md Masum, the proctor said, "As the primary step, the university authority will lodge a case today (19 September). Also, the authority will analyse the CCTV footage and submit a report within today, based on which preliminary punishment will be given to those responsible for the killing."

"Based on further investigation, a probe committee will be formed and final decisions will be taken at the disciplinary and syndicate meetings," the proctor added.

The news of Tofazzal's death spread on social media fast, which led to the discovery of the fact that he was mentally challenged and went inside the hall as part of his routine strolling around the campus.

Meanwhile, a section of DU students has protested the incident and asked for justice during a procession around the campus.

Abu baker Majumder, a leader of Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, said in a statement, "A former leader of Bangladesh Chhatra League was killed at Jahangirnagar University, while another youth has been killed at DU. These incidents are gross violations of human rights."

"We protest against these incidents of human rights violations and demand justice for the deceased. We also urge the interim government to take prompt steps to stop extra-judicial killings in all forms," Abu Baker added.