The attacker at the university TSC, Md. Rakib, prime suspect in Gazipur murder case

A video showing a young man brandishing a stick and threatening a woman at Dhaka University’s TSC (Teacher-Student Centre) has sparked widespread outrage on social media. The individual has been identified as Md. Rakib, who, according to the victim’s party, is a prime suspect in a murder case in Gazipur, yet has not been arrested.

Md. Rakib, son of Abdur Rahim from Sofipur Bazar in Kaliakoir, Gazipur, is currently enrolled in the 2023–24 academic year of Dhaka University’s Department of World Religions and Culture. Fellow students know him as Ahmed Rakib. His twin brother, Md. Sakib, is also named as a suspect in the same murder case. Though both have been fugitives since the case was filed, they have reportedly been spotted in Dhaka and surrounding areas on several occasions.

The video circulating on social media shows two women, one of whom is being menaced by Rakib with a stick. The victim is seen in tears, demanding justice. She explained that she and her companion had visited TSC after having pre-dawn meals in Old Dhaka when they were harassed. Following the incident, the university administration established a three-member investigative committee early Wednesday morning to probe the matter.

Local sources and police confirmed that on 9 September 2024, in Sofipur West Para, Kaliakoir, a young man named Sabbir Hossain was attacked and pushed from the rooftop of a ten-storey building. Rakib and his twin brother Sakib are accused in the case.

According to the case statement, on the day of the incident, Rakib, Sakib, and Sabbir visited a local gym together. Rakib and Sakib then went up to the roof of their building, known as Unique Tower, accompanied by two local teenagers. These teenagers were later sent to buy snacks and, upon returning, discovered Sabbir lying below, covered in blood. They also found cut fingernails and bloodied weapons on the rooftop, suggesting a violent assault. Sabbir’s elder brother, Md. Mohiuddin Abir, subsequently filed a murder case against the two brothers and another individual.

Key Incident Details

Abir told Our representative that although the case was initially filed with Kaliakoir Police Station, it was later transferred to Gazipur Detective Police for reasons unknown. Despite months of investigation and submission of charge sheets to the court five to six months ago, arrest warrants have yet to be issued. He added that the suspects have been spotted publicly, including during DUCSU elections where Rakib campaigned alongside vice-presidential candidate Abidul Islam.

Kaliakoir Police Station Officer-in-Charge Khondkar Nasir Uddin stated, “The DB Police conducted the investigation, and it is their responsibility to arrest the accused. If the court issues a warrant, we will carry out the arrest.”

Gazipur Detective Police Officer-in-Charge Md. Hasmat Ullah confirmed, “Due to various national circumstances, arrests had not yet been executed. However, operations will now be conducted to apprehend the accused.”

The incident has provoked significant concern among the university community and local residents, who are calling for swift justice and stringent law enforcement.