Former Lawmaker Among 179 Charged in Lakshmipur School Vandalism Case

Photo Collected

A+ A A-

Police in Lakshmipur’s Ramganj sub-district have filed a terrorism case against 179 individuals, including former Member of Parliament Anwar Hossain Khan, following a violent attack and vandalism at the Farid Ahmed Bhuiyan Academy. The unrest erupted on June 16, shortly after the body of 14-year-old student Mehedi Hasan was discovered hanging in the school’s dormitory.

The case, registered at Ramganj police station, identifies the accused as members and activists of the now-banned Awami League. According to the complaint, the suspects allegedly gathered at the school premises chanting political slogans before launching a coordinated assault on the facility. The complainant, Rabiul Hasan, stated that the attackers utilized public outrage over the student’s death to incite violence, inflict injuries on witnesses, and destroy institutional infrastructure, deliberately fostering an atmosphere of terror.

The legal proceedings follow an initial murder case filed by the victim’s father, Zia Uddin, who alleged that his son, an eighth-grade student, had been subjected to severe physical and psychological torture after being falsely accused of stealing a mobile phone. The discovery of Mehedi Hasan’s body triggered widespread local protests, culminating in the vandalism of the academy between 8 p.m. and midnight that same day.

Police File Terror Case Against 31 Over Banned Student League Protest in Coxs Bazar

Read More

Police have confirmed the arrest of three individuals in connection with the destruction of the school. However, the investigation has already faced scrutiny due to discrepancies in the suspect list. Tuhin Malik, a local youth leader named as the 14th accused, claims he was incarcerated in Dhaka Central Jail at the time of the incident. Malik asserted that he was arrested on June 3 and released on June 17, suggesting that his inclusion in the case is factually impossible and deeply concerning.

Ramganj Police Station officer-in-charge Firoz Uddin Chowdhury acknowledged the complexity of the allegations and promised a thorough review. He stated that investigators will verify the whereabouts and involvement of all named individuals. If evidence confirms that a suspect was in custody or elsewhere during the time of the offense, the police will take appropriate legal action to rectify the records. The former parliamentarian, Anwar Hossain Khan, remains in hiding following the collapse of the Awami League government.