The tranquil academic environment of the Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia has been shattered following the cold-blooded assassination of Asma Sadia Runa, an Assistant Professor and Chairperson of the Social Welfare Department. In a dramatic escalation of the investigation, the victim’s husband, Muha Imtiaz Sultan, has filed a formal case naming two fellow faculty members and a senior official as the masterminds behind the slaying.
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The Attack and Initial Findings
The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon within Professor Sadia’s private office. She was discovered with over 20 stab wounds across her body. Forensic experts at Kushtia General Hospital, led by Resident Medical Officer Dr Hossain Imam, confirmed that the fatal blow was a deep laceration to the neck. Defensive wounds on her hands suggest a desperate struggle for life before she succumbed to her injuries.
Found at the scene alongside the deceased was Fazlur Rahman, a university employee, who was discovered in a critically injured state. Currently under police guard in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Rahman has reportedly begun communicating with investigators via written notes, allegedly confessing that his motives were fuelled by resentment over a recent transfer and the withholding of his salary.
Profile of the Accused
The police have identified four primary suspects in what appears to be a calculated conspiracy stemming from administrative and financial disputes.
| Name | Role / Position | Case Status |
| Khandaker Fazlur Rahman | Staff Member (Political Science) | Primary Accused (Assailant) |
| Shyam Sundar Sarkar | Assistant Professor (Social Welfare) | Named as Mastermind |
| Habibur Rahman | Assistant Professor (Social Welfare) | Named as Mastermind |
| Biswajit Kumar Biswas | Assistant Registrar (Hall Administration) | Named as Conspirator |
A Motive Rooted in Corruption
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the friction began in September 2024 when Professor Sadia assumed the role of Departmental Chairperson. Her predecessor, Shyam Sundar Sarkar, reportedly failed to provide a transparent handover of departmental funds.
The FIR alleges that Assistant Registrar Biswajit Kumar pressured Sadia to sign off on irregular financial documents without scrutiny. When she vowed to maintain absolute financial integrity, she reportedly became a target of harassment. The situation intensified when Fazlur Rahman—a loyalist to the previous administration—was transferred out of the department for insubordination and disciplinary breaches. The suspects allegedly viewed Professor Sadia as an obstacle to their long-standing misappropriation of departmental resources.
The Aftermath and Student Unrest
The brutal nature of the crime has sparked widespread outrage on campus. Students took to the streets on Thursday morning, presenting a nine-point charter of demands to the university authorities. Key demands include:
The immediate public execution of the primary killer.
The installation of comprehensive CCTV surveillance across all departments.
Strict restrictions on external visitors to the campus.
A rigorous audit of all departmental accounts and staff accountability.
Professor Sadia was laid to rest at the Kushtia Municipal Cemetery following a funeral attended by the Vice-Chancellor and local dignitaries. Her husband, Imtiaz Sultan, delivered a moving eulogy, noting that his wife had balanced the heavy burden of her leadership role even when their youngest child was just six days old.
As the police continue their manhunt for the named academics, the Islamic University faces a profound reckoning regarding the safety of its staff and the integrity of its administrative structures.