DU Student Alleges Police Assault While Filing GD, iPhone Smashed

Dhaka University student Sabbir Ahmed alleges Shahbagh police beat him when he went to file a General Diary (GD), and his iPhone was smashed in the assault. The incident occurred around 7:00pm on Friday, 6 February, near the Shahbagh Police Station gate, he says. Sabbir is a 2022‑23 student of Pali and Buddhist Studies and a resident of Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haq Hall.

He says he went to the station with a female senior from his department to file a GD. The duty officer first told him to wait; after about 30 minutes, he was told there was a server problem and the GD would be delayed. When he stepped outside to look for a friend, an officer asked why he was there. After he said he came for a GD, he was told to go back inside. As he re‑entered, several officers began beating him with batons without asking any questions, he says. He was hit on his hands and back; his right wrist was hurt badly enough to require an immediate X‑ray.

Sabbir says, “While beating me, the baton blows broke the iPhone in my pocket. I bought that phone with hardship and loans. I haven’t even finished paying for it. Now who do I seek compensation from? Who do I seek justice from?” He added, “Police tortured me like this inside the station compound. I went to claim my citizen right and returned injured. If I go to the station again, I may be attacked again. I haven’t filed a complaint yet, but this afternoon I will submit a written complaint to the proctor’s office.”

After the beating, he says he ran to a nearby flower shop in Shahbagh and took shelter. About an hour later, DU’s proctorial team rescued him and, after primary treatment, took him back to his hall, said Proctor Prof Dr Saifuddin Ahmed.

Prof Ahmed said, “Yesterday he was rescued with the help of Zahurul Haq Hall union, given primary treatment at the medical center, and brought back to the hall. If he submits a written complaint, I will take action.”

Multiple calls to Shahbagh Police Station Officer-in-Charge Moniruzzaman went unanswered.