A Dhaka University student, known as a modest youth to his classmates and teachers, is a robber in the eyes of law.
Abdul Quader, a master’s student of biochemistry and molecular biology, has been languishing in jail since July 16 after being arrested in two cases filed for robbery and possessing sharp weapons.
Police beat him so severely that he cannot walk, alleged his family members and classmates from a human chain held on the DU campus yesterday demanding his immediate release.
They also urged the government to take action against the police officers responsible for the incident. Around two hundred students, along with teachers, joined the protest programme.
“My son is not a criminal. He is innocent, and a meritorious student. Please save him,” his mother Manowara told reporters at the human chain.
Helal Uddin, officer-in-charge of Khilgaon Police Station, said they chased a group of people driving suspiciously in Khilgaon area around 3:30am on July 16. They tried to flee but police arrested two people including Quader from Segunbagicha.
The OC said the car the group used was hijacked from Mohammadpur area in the capital on July 15.
But Quader denied being involved with any criminal activities, Helal added.
However, police filed two cases — one for taking preparation for robbery and the other for possessing machetes — against him.
Quoting Quader, his family and friends, however, said police arrested him near the Anti-Corruption Commission around 1:00am on July 16 on his way to the hall. He said he was coming on foot from a relative’s house at Holy Family staff quarters.
Minutes before his arrest, police chased down a snatcher and arrested him. Police then arrested Quader after the snatchers identified him as his accomplice.
Quader told these to his friends and family at Dhaka Medical College Hospital where he was undergoing treatment on July 17. He was later taken to Dhaka Central jail.
DU Teachers Association (DUTA) President Prof Dr Anwar Hossain regretted the “police torture” on Quader.
Police are now trying to make up another story similar to the one of Limon to avoid responsibility, he said, adding that the university authorities should have intervened much earlier.
Contacted, DU Proctor KM Saiful Islam said, “We are trying our best for the release of Quader.”
-With The Daily Star input