Chargesheet in Samyo Murder Case Expected This Week, 7 Accused Linked to Drug Trade

Over five months after the mysterious killing of Chatra Dal leader SM Shahriar Alam Samyo at Dhaka University (DU), investigations have revealed it stemmed from a trivial dispute or old enmity, with no clear motive yet. The case, filed on May 14, will see a chargesheet against seven of nine accused (all in jail) submitted this week, said DB Police Inspector Md. Akhtar Morshed, the lead investigator.

Speaking to The Daily Campus on Sunday, Morshed said, “The chargesheet will be filed this week against seven accused in the Samyo murder case.”

All seven are identified drug traders and users: Mehdi Hasan, Rabbi (aka ‘Kabutor’ Rabbi), Nahid Hasan Papel, Sohag, Hridoy Islam, Robin, and Ripon.

Samyo’s elder brother, Sardar Sharif Saikat, told The Daily Campus, “Five and a half months on, we still don’t know the real reason behind my brother’s murder.”

Sources revealed Mehdi Hasan’s gang used a switchgear to kill Samyo. DB teams arrested eight from Cox’s Bazar, Munshiganj, and Dhaka areas. The eighth, Sujan Sarkar, was also detained. Two confessed in court. Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajedul Alam said in a press conference at the time that the incident occurred after Samyo confronted the group over a taser gun.

DB officer Nasirul Islam said, “Samyo and two friends went to Sohrawardi Udyan on motorcycles. Rabbi, holding a taser gun, was confronted by Samyo. Two fled, and Bayezid chased them. Papel and Rabbi were caught, leading to a scuffle. A fight with three drunk men from Karwan Bazar damaged their motorcycle. In the chaos, Rabbi (aka Kabutor) stabbed Samyo.”

On May 13, Samyo, a postgraduate student in DU’s Institute of Education and Research and JACSU’s literature secretary at Sir AF Rahman Hall, was killed inside Sohrawardi Udyan after an evening event.

Sharif Saikat said, “Samyo went to Taskin’s shop for snacks after an event. Alam Amin, the tea vendor, called multiple times. Amin collected rents for nearby shops, including the mosque. On the way to the mosque, Samyo spotted Rabbi with a taser gun. He asked its purpose, and two fled. Bayezid and Rafi caught them, leading to a scuffle. A drunk trio from Karwan Bazar crashed into a motorcycle, sparking a three-way brawl. Samyo grabbed Rabbi, who stabbed him. Another slashed Samyo’s right thigh. They threatened and fled. Chatra Dal leader Sujan Roy rushed him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.”

A murder case was filed the next day at Shahbagh Police Station. Eight suspects were arrested, with Ripon confessing in court. The ninth remains at large.

The case, involving drug-fueled violence, underscores campus safety concerns amid DU’s ongoing reforms.