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Tofazzal murder trial stalled after 2yrs; 17 suspects still absconding

Published : Friday, 18 September, 2026 at 2:30 PM

Observer Online Desk

File Photo

Two years after mentally impaired youth Tofazzal Hossain was beaten to death on suspicion of theft at Dhaka University’s Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall, the trial process has yet to formally begin.

The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) filed a charge sheet accusing 28 people in connection with the widely discussed murder. Out of the 28 accused, only two remain in jail, nine are currently out on bail, and 17 suspects are absconding.

A report regarding the arrest status of the fugitive defendants was scheduled for submission on August 23, but police failed to present it, prompting the court to fix a new deadline for September 28.

Tofazzal's cousin, Asma Akter Tania, expressed frustration over the persistent delays in starting the judicial process, stating that the family continues to demand justice for the murder. Case complainant Mohammad Amanullah, a supervisor at the Dhaka University Estate Office, echoed the demand for exemplary punishment for the actual perpetrators.

PBI Additional Superintendent of Police Hannanul Islam stated that investigators submitted the final charge sheet against 28 individuals, which the court accepted before issuing arrest warrants against the fugitives. He noted that the investigating officer's formal duties concluded with providing full names and addresses in the charge sheet, leaving the execution of arrest warrants to the respective police stations.

Dhaka Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Omar Faruq Faruqui assured that once the case is fully prepared for trial, it will move to the Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court for frame-of-charge proceedings and speedy witness testimonies.

The brutal attack occurred on the night of September 18, 2024. Amanullah filed a murder case with Shahbagh Police Station the following day, leading Inspector Md Asaduzzaman to initially charge 21 students on December 30, 2024. Following a no-confidence (naraji) petition filed by the Dhaka University administration, Metropolitan Magistrate Saifuzzaman ordered a PBI reinvestigation on February 26, 2025. ASP Hannanul Islam submitted an updated charge sheet on December 15, adding seven more suspects to bring the total to 28, which the court accepted on March 10.

The 28 accused in the charge sheet are former DUCSU hall leader Md Jalal Mia, Ahsan Ullah alias Bipul Sheikh, Al Hossain Sajjad, Md Mottaqin Sakin Shah, Suman Mia, Wajibul Alam, Firoz Kabir, Abdus Samad, Sakib Raihan, Yasin Ali, Yamuzzaman alias Yam, Fazle Rabbi, Shahriar Kabir Shobhon, Mehedi Hasan Imran, Ratul Hasan, Sultan Mia, Nasir Uddin, Mobassher Billah, Shishir Ahmed, Mohsin Uddin alias Shafi, Abdullahil Kafi, Sheikh Romjan Ali Rocky, Rashed Kamal Onik, Moniruzzaman Sohag, Abu Raihan, Redwanur Rahman Parvez, Rabbikul Riyad, and Ashraf Ali Munshi. Among them, Redwanur, Rashed, Abu Raihan, Moniruzzaman, Ahsan Ullah, Sajjad, Mottaqin, Wajibul, and Romjan Ali are on bail, while Jalal Mia and Suman Mia remain in custody. The remaining 17 suspects are fleeing arrest.

The Night of the Incident

Tofazzal hailed from Kathaltali Union under Patharghata Upazila in Barguna. Although he earned a Master's degree in Accounting from Barishal BM College, he was unemployed due to severe mental illness. On the night of September 18, 2024, around 7:45 PM, students detained him near the gate of Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall on suspicion of phone theft.

After initial questioning and slapping in a guest room, students learned his name was Tofazzal. Recognizing his mental instability, they fed him at the hall canteen. However, students subsequently took him to the south building's guest room, tied his hands to a window, and beat him unconscious with cricket stamps, hockey sticks, and wooden logs, causing his death.

Video footage of the incident, showing Tofazzal eating rice shortly before the fatal beating, sparked national outrage online. Despite phone calls from his cousin Tania pleading for his release and explaining his condition, the attackers intensified the assault.

On September 25, Tania filed a separate court petition against 15 individuals, including Hall Provost Prof Shah Muhammad Masum, which the court consolidated with the university's primary case.

Tragic Family Background

Tofazzal once belonged to a happy four-member family. His father died in a road accident eight years ago, and his mother passed away five years ago, triggering the onset of his mental illness. His elder brother, Police Sub-Inspector Nasir Hossain, cared for him and provided psychiatric treatment until Nasir died of cancer during Ramadan in 2023.

Deprived of caregivers, Tofazzal wandered the streets as a homeless person. Although his extended family attempted to admit him to a mental health facility in Pabna, Tofazzal broke his restraints and escaped on the morning of his scheduled admission, eventually wandering through various parts of Dhaka until the tragic encounter.

-SA