Dhaka, Dec 21 (V7N) –Students of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) have accused the police of reluctance to file a case following the death of a fellow student named Mohtassim Masud who was fatally hit by a private car in Purbachal.
They have also criticized misleading comments by the defendant's lawyer and media reports portraying the incident as an "accident."
At a briefing held at Buet’s Central Shaheed Minar on Saturday, the students expressed their grievances.
They announced plans to submit a memorandum to the home adviser at 4:30pm, demanding a thorough investigation and maximum punishment for the perpetrator.
The students alleged that the Sub-Inspector (SI) on duty showed unwillingness to file the case.
After the incident, the police transported Mubin Al Mamun Sadman, the driver of the private car, and two passengers to Rupganj Health Centre for primary treatment and later took them to Rupganj police station.
The students followed them to the station, but the SI reportedly exhibited a lack of cooperation and behaved in an unhelpful manner.
At 8am, another group of students, accompanied by Buet faculty members, reached the police station.
At that time, the officer-in-charge (OC) was absent, and attempts to contact him were delayed. The OC arrived after about an hour and discussed the matter with the teachers.
Attempts to influence proceedings
The Buet students also claimed that the accused driver Sadman’s family attempted to influence the legal process.
The family of Sadman, including his father, allegedly tried to interfere in the legal proceedings.
The driver’s mother reportedly offered compensation to dissuade the students from pursuing the case and made inappropriate comments, questioning why the victims were at the location late at night.
Account of the incident
Recounting the incident, the students said that on the night of December 20, during a program on campus, they learned that three friends— Mohtassim Masud, Amit Saha, and Mehedi Hasan Khan—had been involved in an accident on the 300 Feet Road near Nilamarket in Purbachal.
Attempts to contact them failed until a passer-by answered Amit's phone and informed them of the critical injuries sustained by the three.
Upon reaching the scene, the students, with the help of the fire service, took the injured to Kurmitola Hospital, where Masud was declared dead. The other two were transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for further treatment.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that the private car, driven recklessly by Sadman, struck the stationary motorcycle carrying the three students.
The students reported finding evidence of alcohol and drugs in the car.
Five demands
The students presented five demands at the press conference.
Maximum punishment for the perpetrator of the incident.
The full cost of medical treatment for the injured must be borne by the defendant.
Adequate compensation must be provided to the family of the deceased.
Legal action against anyone attempting to obstruct the investigation process.
The government must ensure road safety to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The students urged the authorities to take firm measures to strengthen road safety laws, uphold justice, and prevent any group from manipulating the legal system.
They stressed that no one is above the law, regardless of their familial or social status.
END/MSS/AJ
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