Jewel’s Murder: He did not demean the Holy Quran

The Holy Quran was not demeaned before Shahidunnabi Jewel was beaten and burnt to death in Burimari of Lalmonirhat's Patgram upazila on October 29, an investigation by the district administration has found.

It was just a rumour about desecrating the Holy Quran that led to the brutal killing of 50-year-old Jewel, according to the probe.

A three-member investigation committee, formed by the district administration, handed its report to Deputy Commissioner Md Abu Jafor yesterday morning. The report was prepared after the committee sat seven times and took oral and written statements from about 50 people in Burimari area.

The committee, headed by Additional District Magistrate TMA Momin, was formed a day after a mob murdered Jewel over demeaning the Holy Quran inside a mosque in Burimari. The other two members are Additional Superintendent of Police Rabiul Islam and Deputy Director of Fire Service Saidul Islam.

Talking to reporters after submitting the report, Momin said, "We have not found any evidence that the Holy Quran was desecrated in the Burimari incident. It was just a rumour. The rumour spread and as a result, the mob killed Jewel.

"Our investigation has revealed in-depth information on the incident. We've mentioned everything in the report, but can't disclose much here."

The DC told reporters that he received the report, which would be sent to the ministries concerned for necessary action against the perpetrators.

Jewel was a former librarian of Rangpur Cantonment Public School and College and a former student of Dhaka University.

At least 31 people have so far been arrested over the incident.