A Dhaka court on Thursday ordered professor Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, former vice-chancellor of Begum Rokeya University, to be shown arrested in a murder case filed over the death of Tariqul Islam Rubel during the July uprising.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Didarul Alam passed the order after hearing a police petition seeking to show him arrested in the case.
During the hearing, professor Kalimullah said that while serving as vice-chancellor, he had protested and spoken out against the killing of student Abu Sayed during the July movement. He said he was only a teacher and had never been involved with any political party from his student life to his teaching career.
He also said he was previously jailed after holding a press conference against then education minister Dipu Moni during his tenure as vice-chancellor.
The petition seeking to show Kalimullah arrested was submitted on 7 September by Sub-Inspector (SI) Md Johurul Islam, the investigating officer of the case filed with Kafrul Police Station.
According to the police application, evidence and information collected during the investigation suggested his direct and indirect involvement in the murder. The police said his arrest in the case was necessary for a proper investigation and verification of his credentials.
Defence lawyer Mohsin Reza opposed the police plea, saying Kalimullah held no political position and had even been imprisoned during the Awami League government. He argued that the petition was based only on his former position as a university vice-chancellor.
State counsel Shamsuddoha Suman, however, told the court that Kalimullah was associated with the Awami League and had direct involvement in the murder, seeking approval of the police application.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the magistrate granted the police request.
The case relates to the death of Md Tariqul Islam Rubel during the 2024 anti-discrimination student movement over quota reform and the resignation of the then government.
According to the case statement, gunfire and attacks were carried out on demonstrators in the Kafrul Police Station area around 8pm on 19 July 2024, leaving several people injured. Rubel sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head and died at the scene.
Following the incident, Atiur Rahman, a close relative of the victim, filed a murder case with Kafrul Police Station, naming 157 people in the First Information Report (FIR), including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Kalimullah was arrested by the Metropolitan Detective Branch (DB) of police from his Mohammadpur residence on 7 August 2025. His bail petition was rejected the same day, and he has remained in judicial custody since then.
His defence lawyer Mohsin Reza confirmed the court order.
