A climate of mob rule in the name of law is now prevailing in Bangladesh, many teachers and physicians allege. Observers say the police appear to have become obedient servants of the interim Yunus-led government. Ignoring legal procedures for apprehending suspects, police are arresting dissenters simply because the government “wants it.”
A recent example is the arrest of Dr. Ariful Islam Jowarder Tito, Associate Professor in the Cardiology Department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).
Arrested From Workplace Without a Case
On Tuesday (18 November 2025) at around noon, Shahbagh police arrested Tito from his university office without any prior case filed. Physicians say this incident has deepened insecurity among the medical community.
Police initially told journalists that university doctors had “formed a mob,” detained Tito, and alerted the police.
But doctors at the scene refuted this claim, saying no mob or confrontation took place; at that time, colleagues were busy attending patients and taking classes.
A senior professor, requesting anonymity, said, “There was no mob inside the university. Tito was arrested without any reason and without any case. This has compromised the university’s security. Such an abduction-like arrest of a doctor from his workplace sets a very dangerous precedent.”
Allegations of Political Vendetta
University sources said that Dr. Tito, Associate Professor of Cardiology, is the member secretary of the campus unit of Swachip and formerly served as president of Mymensingh Medical College Chhatra League. After the “kangaroo court” verdict by Dr. Yunus regarding former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Tito posted a status on his personal Facebook account:
“I don’t care.”
Sources claim that this post provoked anger within the government. He was suddenly arrested and his name was added to an old case before being produced in court, even though he had no connection to the case.
Court Decision: Bail Rejected
In a case filed over attempted murder of protesters during the July Movement — a case in which his name did not originally appear — Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Masum Mia denied his bail on Tuesday and ordered him sent to jail.
SI Jinnat Ali of the prosecution confirmed the matter.
The investigation officer, SI Mainul Islam Khan Pulok of Shahbagh Police Station, filed a petition requesting that Tito be kept in custody.
Although advocate Sohag Mia argued for bail, the court rejected the plea.
A Case in Which He Was Never Named
According to case documents, on 4 August, an incident occurred on the university premises involving an attack on protesters, arson, and vandalism. Five months later, on 14 January, the university administration filed a case with Shahbagh Police Station.
However, Associate Professor Tito’s name was not in that case.
