Assault, robbery complaint lodged against 8 DU JCD men

A written complaint has been filed with Shahbagh Police Station (PS) against eight identified activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and at least 20 unidentified individuals over allegations of assault, robbery and threats on the Dhaka University campus on July 16 night. One of the accused, DU student As Shams, has also been identified in footage from a separate incident involving an attack on journalists inside the PS station earlier this year.

The complaint, filed on Friday, names Al Shams, Sadman Sakib, Hira Rahman, Abhi Rahman, Tamzid, Shibbir Ahmed, Masrur Kamal Mahin and Saifur Rasul Palash as accused. They are alleged to be affiliated with JCD-DU. Three other individuals identified from photographs have also been described in the complaint as active JCD members.

The complainant, Abdur Rahim Sajid, alleged that he and his two companions, Fardin Khan and Morshed Ahmed �" all former students of University Laboratory School and College �" were attacked without warning while they were sitting at VC Chattar on  DU campus.

According to the complaint, the attackers, allegedly led by DU student As Shams, demanded Fardin’s motorcycle key. When he refused, they allegedly beat him and took away the motorcycle.

Sajid alleged that he was later taken behind the Central Library, where he was beaten in a dark area. Attackers allegedly threatened to kill him if he did not hand over money. When they attempted to take him towards Suhrawardy Udyan, he managed to escape and reach Shahbagh PS.  

The complaint further stated that a settlement was later arranged through police and senior students. However, Sajid alleged that after returning to campus based on that agreement, he was attacked again by the same group.

All three victims later received treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). They also alleged that the same group had stopped and assaulted them at the same location on May 14 and taken Tk 5,000 from them.

On Sunday, an application seeking the filing of a case was submitted to Shahbagh PS against Md Burhan Uddin, DU correspondent of Channel 24  over his report on the incident.

The application was submitted by Shibbir Ahmed, one of the accused in the assault and robbery complaint and a student of the History Department from the 2025�"26 session.

As Shams has separately been identified by this correspondent through footage as one of at least 14 JCD leaders and activists who allegedly attacked journalists and DUJA members inside Shahbagh PS earlier this year. At least 10 journalists were injured in that incident.

Shams, a student of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) from the 2025�"26 session, was seen entering the crowd and attacking journalists in multiple video clips reviewed by this correspondent. DUJA had described the incident as an organised attack on press freedom and demanded the arrest of those involved.

Shams denied the latest allegation, describing them as “motivated”. He claimed that a previous dispute had already been settled and said no forcible abduction or robbery had taken place on the night of the incident.

Three other named accused �" Saniyat Shuvho, Hira Rahman and Abhi Rahman �" separately told media that they were not present at the scene.

Shahbagh PS Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Moniruzzaman confirmed receiving the written complaint and said legal action would be taken after consultation with the university administration.

DU JCD President Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahos and General Secretary Nahiduzzaman Shipon said they were aware of the allegations and would investigate the matter before taking organisational action.

Acting DU Proctor Israfil Ratan said students found involved in “moral policing, robbery or similar incidents” would face strict disciplinary measures.