Former VC Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah ordered arrested in attempted murder case
A Dhaka court has approved a request to show former Vice-Chancellor of Begum Rokeya University, Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, as arrested in a case related to the attempted murder of Mustain Billah Sabbir. The incident allegedly occurred during the July student uprising. Kalimullah was brought before the court and stated, 'I was the first to protest Abu Sayeed's murder. I protested before anyone else. It's on record. I did not take an opposing stance during the July movement; I supported the movement.' The application to arrest Kalimullah was granted by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Zakir Hossain. The victim, Mustain Billah Sabbir, filed the attempted murder case on October 14, 2023, alleging that on July 19, 2024, local Awami League, Jubo League, and Chhatra League members opened fire on students and the public in the Uttara West Police Station area. Sabbir sustained a gunshot wound to his elbow, and others were also injured. The investigating officer, SI Md. Abu Sayeed, applied to arrest Kalimullah, citing sufficient evidence of his involvement and noting that Kalimullah is currently in jail. The prosecution argued that Kalimullah is a beneficiary of Sheikh Hasina and was involved in the shooting and "disappearance of bodies" during the student protests. The defense countered that Kalimullah is a professor with his own thoughts and that his role was teaching, not violence. They questioned the delay in seeking his arrest and argued it violated his fundamental rights, as he is already in jail for other university-related cases and is out on bail. Kalimullah, speaking from the courtroom, stated he reported what he observed during the election duties and that his responsibility was from 8 AM to 4 PM. The judge questioned his responsibility regarding events before and after his duty hours. Kalimullah was arrested on August 7, 2025, from his residence in Mohammadpur and has been in jail since his bail application was rejected.
This case highlights the complex intersection of political movements, legal processes, and individual accountability. The court's decision to approve the arrest warrant suggests that the investigating authorities have presented sufficient evidence to warrant further scrutiny of Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah's alleged involvement. Kalimullah's defense points to potential procedural issues and questions the timing of the arrest application, suggesting that political motivations might influence the legal proceedings. The prosecution's framing of Kalimullah as a beneficiary of political patronage and his alleged role in suppressing protests raises questions about the influence of power dynamics on justice. Future developments will reveal whether the legal process prioritizes objective evidence and due process or is swayed by political pressures, offering insights into the resilience of institutional integrity in the face of societal upheaval.
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