DB to probe RU killing

Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) has decided to proceed with the Rajshahi University student leader Rustam murder case that, the victim's family and friends believe, was filed by the masterminds behind the killing.

The RMP yesterday asked the Detective Branch (DB) to investigate the murder case. The DB is likely to take over the case today.
In a separate order, ABM Rezaul Islam, the officer-in-charge (OC) of Motihar Police Station, with which the case was filed, was transferred to the RMP Special Branch at the same time. Alamgir Hossain has been appointed the new OC of the police station.
"The case was given to the DB to ensure better investigation," RMP Commissioner Mahbubur Rahman told The Daily Star.
When asked about the case having been filed by the alleged masterminds themselves, the RMP boss exclaimed in surprise and said, “I am hearing such a claim for the first time".
Asked whether police talked to the victim's family ever since the murder, he said he was not investigating the case.
A top ranking RMP official, preferring not to be named, said, "Facts about the killing are now an open secret on the [RU] campus. It is known to the university authority as well”.
“The university authority could have filed a complaint as the murder occurred inside its dormitory”, said the official.
Rustam Ali Akand, 22, a fourth-year student of political science and the hall unit BCL joint secretary, was shot dead inside his room at Suhrawardy Hall on Friday.
A day later, Mehedi Hasan, vice-president of RU unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), filed the case against the four leaders of Islami Chhatra Shibir and six unnamed people.
However, the victim's family and witnesses have alleged the involvement of BCL men in the killing.
Rustam's elder brother Rawshan Ali Akand alleged that BCL men, who are likely to have been involved in the murder, filed the murder case taking advantage of the fact that their (Rawshan's) family was too poor to pursue the case.
Following the murder, The Daily Star has talked to a number of RU students, BCL activists and leaders, and classmates, friends and family members of Rustam. All of them, wishing anonymity in fear of reprisals, said "some BCL men" were behind the killing.