On 18 September 2024, Tofazzal Hossain was beaten to death by students at Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall in the University of Dhaka.[4][5][6] Accused of stealing cellphones, Hossain was subjected to severe physical violence which lead to his death.[7][8]
From 13 August to 20 September 2024, 21 people were lynched in those 39 days.[9] In Jahangirnagar University, Shamim Ahmed, a former activist of Bangladesh Chhatra League, was beaten to death on 18 September 2024.[9]
Hossain is from Kathaltoli Union, Patharghata Upazila, Barguna District.[7] He did his master's degree in accounting at the Government Suhrawardi College.[10][4] His father, Abdur Rahman,[10] died in 2016 in a road accident.[11] In 2016 his mother, Beauty Begum,[10] died from cancer.[11] Nasir Uddin, his older brother, a sub-inspector of Bangladesh Police, also died from cancer on 7 April 2023.[11][10] He had developed mental problems after these deaths according to his cousins.[11] He used to roam around the campus of the University of Dhaka and would take food offered by students.[11][4] He was 35 at the time of his death.[11]
Tofazzal Hossain was detained by students at the University of Dhaka following the theft of six cellphones during a cricket match. Hossain was taken to the Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall, where he was subjected to physical violence and torture.[11] Students inflicted injuries upon him using cricket bats and stumps. After a brief period, Hossain was provided with a meal from the canteen, but the violence continued at the extension building guest room right after he finished his meal.[11]The students contacted Hossain's family, demanding a sum of money. A proctor team arrived at the scene but was unable to secure Hossain's immediate release. As Hossain's condition deteriorated, he was eventually handed over to the proctors, who transported him to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.[11]
Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, advisor in charge of the Minister of Home affairs expressed regret over the death of Tofazzal Hossain and the death in Jahangirnagar University.[9] ZI Khan Panna, Supreme Court lawyer, was critical of Jahangir Alam Chowdhury for expressing regret but not taking action.[9] Another lawyer, Jyotirmoy Barua, said
"After the dictator (Sheikh Hasina) was deposed through an uprising, a group of people now believe that they can dispense justice as they want and the authorities would comply with whatever they say".[9]
The University of Dhaka condemned the incident.[12] Democratic Student Alliance and the Students Against Repression held protests at the University of Dhaka and Jahangirnagar University.[12][13][14]
Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chatra Dal condemned extrajudicial killings at the Teacher Student Center (TSC) of the University of Dhaka.[12] Zonayed Saki of the Ganosamhati Andolan condemned the murder.[12] Left Democratic Alliance called for arrest and punishment of those involved.[12]
Police detained six students of the University of Dhaka in connection with the murder.[15] Mohammad Amanullah, supervisor of the estate office of the University of Dhaka filed a murder case with the Shahbagh Police Station.[16] The university also handed over two students, suspected of being involved in the murder, to the police.[17]
We have learnt that he was mentally unstable.