The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Hajirhat Police Station in Rangpur Metropolitan, Abdul Al Mamun Shah, has been transferred following controversy over the arrest of Mahmudul Haque, a faculty member at Begum Rokeya University.
The decision was made on Saturday night, and Detective Branch Inspector Rajibul Islam has been appointed as the new OC of Hajirhat Police Station.
The Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Md. Majid Ali, confirmed the changes on Sunday afternoon.
The former OC will now serve in the Detective Branch of Rangpur Metropolitan Police, along with additional responsibilities at the Police Training School.
Mahmudul Haque, a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, was arrested in connection with the death of Samset Uddin, initially reported as a murder case. However, it was later alleged that Samset Uddin had died of a heart attack.
Mahmudul Haque was sent to jail following a court order, sparking widespread protests from students and teachers demanding his unconditional release.
Civil society members, human rights activists, and prominent citizens condemned the arrest and called for his immediate release.
According to Mahmudul Haque`s wife, Masuba Hasan, her husband was falsely implicated in a premeditated conspiracy involving certain doctors and another faculty member of Begum Rokeya University.
She claimed that the OC had allegedly collected blank signatures from the complainant and later manipulated the list of accused individuals.
The case originated from a complaint filed on June 3 by Amena Begum, whose husband died during a student movement in August of the previous year. Mahmudul Haque was named as the 54th accused in the case.
Mahmudul Haque’s legal team filed for bail on Sunday, with the hearing scheduled for Tuesday in the Rangpur Metropolitan Magistrate Court-1.
His lawyer argued that Mahmudul Haque is innocent and has been targeted due to his active support for student movements, including protests following the death of student leader Abu Saeed.
Shahriar Sohag, former coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement at Begum Rokeya University, reaffirmed that their protest would continue until Mahmudul Haque is unconditionally and respectfully released.
