Ex-chair of EUB trustee board Mokbul put on remand

A Dhaka court on Wednesday placed former Trustee Board Chairman at the European University of Bangladesh (EUB), Professor Dr Mokbul Ahmed Khan, and his assistant Md Nichhar Uddin Akash on a three-day remand each.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Ismail granted the remands in a case filed over allegations of obstructing government work, theft and intimidation, said Dhaka Metropolitan Prosecution Division Sub-Inspector Lutfor Rahman.

Earlier, the investigation officer of the case, Inspector Md Nazmul Hasan Khan of Darus Salam Police Station, produced the duo before the court and sought a 10-day remand, stating that intensive interrogation was needed to uncover the actual motive behind the alleged offences.

Meanwhile, the defence lawyers sought cancellation of the remand and prayed for their bail. After hearing both sides, the court granted a three-day remand for each of the accused.

According to the case statement, on 21 July, a group of people allegedly used force to enter the first and second floors of European University of Bangladesh in Gabtoli.

They allegedly entered the room of the Board of Administrators, appointed by the government, and obstructed official activities. It is also alleged that the accused vandalised furniture and other necessary items, causing damage of around Tk50,000.

They also allegedly stole around Tk15 lakh in cash, along with important legal documents related to different cases, files of the accounts department, and documents from the offices of the registrar, treasurer and vice-chancellor.

Rafiul Islam, 28, filed the case with Darus Salam Police Station in connection with the incident, stating that the accused created a fearful situation on the campus and threatened the lives of those concerned.

Police later arrested Dr Mokbul Ahmed Khan from the capital's Dhanmondi area and Nihhar Uddin Akash from the Gabtoli area early Wednesday following the filing of the case.