Ex-EUB trustee board chairman, aide remanded in vandalism, Tk15 lakh theft case
Police say the accused are being interrogated to recover stolen cash and documents and identify other suspects over alleged vandalism and obstruction at the university.
A Dhaka court has placed former chairman of the Board of Trustees of the European University of Bangladesh (EUB) Professor Mokbul Ahmed Khan and his personal assistant, Md Nisar Uddin Akash, on a three-day remand in a case filed over allegations of obstructing government officials, vandalism, Tk15 lakh theft and criminal intimidation.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Ismail passed the order today (22 July) after hearing arguments from both sides, confirmed Dhaka Metropolitan Prosecution Division Sub-Inspector Lutfor Rahman.
Earlier, the investigating officer, Inspector Md Nazmul Hasan Khan of Darussalam Police Station, sought a 10-day remand for both accused.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
In the remand petition, the investigating officer said intensive interrogation was necessary to uncover the motive behind the incident, recover stolen cash and important documents, and identify other absconding suspects.
The petition also stated that the accused might flee if released on bail.
Defence lawyers opposed the remand plea and sought bail for both accused. After hearing the arguments, the court granted a three-day remand for each.
According to the case statement, a group of 20 to 25 people forcibly entered the first and second floors of the European University of Bangladesh campus in Gabtoli under Darussalam Police Station on 20 July.
The group allegedly entered the offices of the government-appointed Board of Administrators, obstructed officials from performing their duties, broke the locks of two sealed rooms and vandalised furniture and other property, causing an estimated Tk50,000 in damages.
The case further alleges that around Tk15 lakh in cash, legal documents related to several cases, accounts department files and important records from the registrar, treasurer and vice-chancellor's offices were stolen.
The accused are also alleged to have created panic on campus through misinformation, personal harassment, anti-state and anti-government activities, and threats to kill those concerned.
The case was filed by Rafiul Islam, 28, with Darussalam Police Station yesterday.
Police later arrested Mokbul from Dhanmondi and Nisar Uddin from the Gabtoli area today.
According to police sources, Mokbul is also facing two pending cases at Gopalganj Sadar Police Station.
