A Dhaka court has granted a police plea to show former Begum Rokeya University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah arrested in a murder case filed over the death of Tarikul Islam Rubel in the capital's Kafrul area during the July movement. On Thursday (September 10), the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Didarul Alam issued the order following the police application.
During the hearing, taking permission from the court, Kalimullah said, 'From my student life to my teaching career, I have never been associated with any political party anywhere. I am still not. I am a teacher, nothing else.' He further said that while serving as Vice-Chancellor, he protested the killing of Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayed, who was killed in the July movement. He informed the court that he had also held a press conference against the then Education Minister Dipu Moni. He claimed that he had to go to jail in consequence of this.
Earlier on September 7, the investigation officer of the case, Kafrul Police Station Sub-Inspector (SI) Md. Zahurul Islam, applied to show Kalimullah arrested in this case. That day, the court fixed today for the hearing in the presence of the accused.
The police application stated that evidence of direct and indirect involvement in the incident of the case is being found against Kalimullah, who is currently in jail. His name and address are being verified. In the interest of proper investigation of the case, it is necessary to show him arrested in this case.
During the hearing, defense lawyer Mohsin Reza opposed the plea. He said that Kalimullah has no political post or identity. He is a professor and was arrested even during the Awami League government. He served as the Vice-Chancellor of the university, and it is for this reason that an application has been made to show him arrested in the case.
On the other hand, state counsel Shamsuddoha Suman argued in favor of the application. He said that Kalimullah was associated with the Awami League and has involvement in the killing incident of Tarikul Islam Rubel. Due to this, he applied to show him arrested in the case.
After hearing statements from both sides, the court ordered Kalimullah to be shown arrested in the Tarikul Islam Rubel murder case. His lawyer Mohsin Reza confirmed the matter.
The allegations in the case state that during the anti-discrimination student movement in 2024, protests demanding quota reform and the resignation of the then government were taking place in the capital Dhaka and various parts of the country. The case alleges that accused persons at various levels planned and directed the suppression of the movement.
In continuation of this, around 8 PM on July 19, 2024, shooting and attacks took place on protesters in the Kafrul Police Station area. Tarikul Islam Rubel and several others were shot and injured in the incident. Rubel died on the spot after being shot in the head.
In this incident, the victim Rubel's relative Atiur Rahman filed a murder case at Kafrul Police Station. A total of 157 people, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, have been named as accused in the case.
Earlier on August 7, 2025, the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested Kalimullah from his Mohammadpur residence. That day, the court rejected his bail plea and ordered him to be sent to jail. He has been in jail since then.
