KHULNA, Bangladesh — A 21-year-old university student was allegedly beaten to death at a student hostel in Khulna after being accused of eating another resident’s rice, police and witnesses said.
Azmul Hossain, a first-semester English student at North Western University, was found critically injured in an alley outside the four-storey hostel on Islam Nagar Road late Friday night.
Humayun Kabir, an assistant commissioner of Khulna Metropolitan Police, said the incident was being investigated and that authorities would take legal action based on their findings.
According to accounts from local residents, the hostel houses about 50 to 60 students. Azmul was allegedly accused of eating rice belonging to a hostel resident identified as Mehedi, who manages the accommodation.
Mehedi, several hostel residents and some outsiders allegedly took Azmul to the rooftop and assaulted him, according to accounts gathered by local residents.
A woman living in a neighbouring building said she heard a loud noise at around 12:45 a.m. and later found a young man lying in the alley outside the hostel. Other students subsequently took Azmul to Khulna Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
An emergency department doctor said Azmul had injuries across his body and both of his legs were fractured.
A hostel worker, Fatema, said Azmul had previously faced allegations of stealing money and a laptop. She said Friday night’s assault followed an allegation that he had eaten another student’s rice and that she had tried unsuccessfully to stop the beating.
Azmul’s father, Kutub Uddin, said he last spoke to his son by phone at around 9 p.m. on Friday. Azmul reportedly told him that he was fine and asked his family not to worry.
The father said that after midnight, a person using Azmul’s phone called him and allegedly demanded Tk 100,000, saying his son had been involved in a “problem” and that the money was needed to secure his release.
Kutub Uddin said he told the caller that he was a farmer and could not arrange such a large sum. He said he travelled to Khulna the following morning, only to learn that his son had died.
“I am a poor man. My home is far away. I have left the matter to God,” he said.
Azmul, who was from Darshana in Chuadanga district, had enrolled at North Western University on Sept. 10, according to university authorities.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Kanai Lal Sarkar said the university had spoken with Azmul’s parents and advised them to pursue legal action. He said the institution would provide assistance to the family.
Iqubal Hossain, officer-in-charge of Harintana Police Station, said the incident was under investigation. He said police would file a case on their own if Azmul’s father did not lodge one.
Professor Md Salauddin, director of student affairs at Khulna University, said the incident occurred outside the university’s jurisdiction but that the institution was assisting police with the investigation.
No arrests had been publicly announced in connection with the death as of Saturday evening.
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