Zahidur Rahman Parvez, a student of Prime Asia University in Dhaka’s Banani, was fatally stabbed and killed by a teenage gang allegedly summoned by fellow students, police said.
The attack was reportedly triggered by accusations that Parvez had “laughed” with two female classmates, which led to a confrontation, they added.
The murder occurred in broad daylight on Saturday (April 19) on the university campus in Banani.
Parvez was a final-year student at the Textile Engineering Department. He hailed from Birunia Union in Bhaluka, Mymensingh.
According to police and eyewitnesses, the incident began when some English department students accused Parvez of laughing with two of their female friends while chatting near a shop close to the university campus. The two girls, who are students of the University of Scholars, reportedly lodged a complaint with the university’s proctor. Although Parvez denied any wrongdoing, he eventually apologised to the girls as per the proctor’s advice.
However, the issue did not end there.
Later, Parvez got into a heated argument with three English department students—Mehraj Islam, Mahathir Hasan Pias, and Abu Zohar Bepari. They then allegedly tcalled in members of an outside teen gang who carried out the stabbing. He died while was being taken to Kurmitola General Hospital.
His fellow students expressed outrage at the brutal killing and demanded swift and severe punishment for those responsible.
Banani Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Russel Sarwar told Times of Bangladesh that Parvez succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital. “He had stab wounds on his chest,” said the OC.
A murder case was filed on Saturday night by Parvez’s cousin Humayun Kabir. The case named eight individuals, including Prime Asia University students and outsiders. Additionally, 20 to 30 unidentified people have been accused.
A senior official of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) confirmed that CCTV footage and other data are being analysed to identify and arrest the suspects. He assured that arrests will be made soon.
Prime Asia University Proctor Mosharraf Hossain described the incident as “unfortunate.”
Parvez’s cousin Delowar Hossain said that Parvez was involved in student politics under the BNP’s student wing, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal.
His body was taken to the BNP central office in Paltan where a janaza took place in the late night. His body was then taken to the university campus for another janaza. He was buried at his village home.