Begum Rokeya University expels former proctor, 10 others permanently

Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) has permanently expelled 11 people, including a former proctor, two teachers, eight officials and employees, over their involvement in the killing of university student Abu Sayed during the 2024 Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

The university’s Syndicate took the decision at its 123rd meeting on Wednesday, following the convictions of the individuals by International Crimes Tribunal-2. BRUR Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Shawkat Ali confirmed the decision on Thursday.

The three teachers are former Associate Prof of Mathematics Mashiur Rahman, Associate Prof of Public Administration Asaduzzaman Mandal alias Asad, and Associate Prof of Political Science and then Proctor Shariful Islam.

According to university records, Mashiur Rahman and Asaduzzaman Mandal were sentenced to 10 years in prison each, while Shariful Islam was sentenced to five years by ICT-2.

The eight officials and employees are then Assistant Registrar Rafiual Hasan Russel, Office Assistant-cum-Computer Operator Mahabubar Rahman alias Babu, Assistant Registrar Hafizur Rahman alias Tufan, Section Officer Moniruzzaman Palash, MLSS Mohammad Nurunnabi Mandal, Security Guard Nur Alam Mia, MLSS AKM Amir Hossain and contractual employee of the Proctor’s Office Md Anwar Parvez alias Apel.

University records show that Rafiual Hasan Russel and Mahabubar Rahman were sentenced to five years in prison each, while Hafizur Rahman, Moniruzzaman Palash, Mohammad Nurunnabi Mandal, Nur Alam Mia and AKM Amir Hossain received three-year sentences.

In the case of contractual employee Anwar Parvez, the period he had spent in custody was counted as the full term of his sentence.

ICT-2 delivered its verdict in the Abu Sayed killing case on 9 April, sentencing all 30 accused to varying terms of imprisonment. The tribunal later published the 809-page full verdict on 14 June.

Following Abu Sayed’s death, the university began taking administrative action against teachers, officials and employees accused of involvement in the incident. Several of them were temporarily suspended at different times, while then Proctor Shariful Islam was suspended after his arrest.

After the tribunal handed down its verdict, the university stopped the salaries of those concerned as part of the process under Section 42 of the Government Service Act, 2018. It also took steps to obtain certified copies of the full verdict.

University records say the Syndicate had earlier decided that the Government Service Act, 2018 would apply to BRUR because the university’s own 2009 law contains no specific provision covering such cases.

Abu Sayed, a student of the English Department at BRUR, was shot dead in front of the university’s main gate in Rangpur on 16 July 2024 during the quota reform movement. Images and video of him standing with his arms outstretched in front of police gunfire spread widely and made his death a major focus of the subsequent nationwide movement.

BRUR Registrar Prof Dr Md Ferdous Rahman said the Syndicate, the university’s highest policy-making body, had taken the disciplinary action after discussing the matter and reviewing the applicable rules.

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“Necessary administrative procedures will be completed in line with the Syndicate’s decision,” he said.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Shawkat Ali said the university had taken action against those found responsible in accordance with its rules.

“The death of Abu Sayed is an extremely important and painful chapter in the history of the university,” he said. “The orders for permanent expulsion will be implemented in accordance with the Syndicate’s decision.”