A senior academic of Jagannath University and his father were reportedly attacked in Keraniganj, on the outskirts of Dhaka, after they objected to local individuals allegedly consuming drugs in their neighbourhood.
According to allegations made by students and family members, the incident occurred on Thursday evening at approximately 7:45 pm when the accused, identified as 22-year-old Ehsanur Haque Mahim, was once again seen loitering and allegedly using intoxicants in front of the victims’ residence. When verbally challenged by the professor’s father, 67-year-old Md Nazrul Islam, the situation escalated into violence.
Witness accounts suggest that the accused had been frequenting the area for some time and had previously been warned on multiple occasions. Residents claim that objections raised by the family earlier had resulted in threats of serious harm.
During the latest confrontation, Mahim allegedly assaulted the elderly man, knocking him to the ground and repeatedly striking him with fists and kicks, causing visible injuries, including bleeding beneath his left eye. Upon receiving information about the altercation, the university lecturer, an Associate Professor in the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at Jagannath University, rushed to the scene and was also allegedly attacked. He was reportedly beaten with fists and a stick, sustaining injuries to the left side of his face, while his spectacles were forcibly removed and thrown away.
Locals subsequently intervened, restraining the accused and handing him over to police. However, controversy has emerged regarding the initial police response. Family members and students have alleged that although they attempted to file a formal criminal case, authorities recorded only a general diary entry instead of registering a full case, raising concerns over the handling of the complaint.
Students of the department expressed strong condemnation of the attack and staged a demonstration at the court premises on Friday, demanding exemplary punishment for the accused. One student representative, Rion Islam, stated that failing to register a formal case could allow the accused to secure bail more easily, undermining justice for the victims.
Meanwhile, police confirmed that the accused was produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court on Friday following his arrest. Dhaka District Police Superintendent Mizanur Rahman stated that the incident was being treated seriously and that steps were underway to file a proper case.
The injured professor has confirmed that legal proceedings will be initiated.
Incident Overview
| Time / Stage | Event Description |
|---|---|
| Prior period | Alleged repeated drug use and gathering in front of residence; prior warnings issued |
| Thursday, 9 April, ~7:45 pm | Verbal confrontation escalates into physical assault on father |
| Shortly after | University lecturer arrives and is also assaulted |
| Immediate aftermath | Locals intervene and detain accused |
| Following day (Friday) | Accused produced before Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court |
| Ongoing | Police process underway to register formal criminal case |
The incident has sparked widespread concern among university circles, particularly regarding campus-linked safety beyond institutional boundaries and the response of law enforcement to violent neighbourhood disputes.