Thirteen months after the death of Islamic University (IU) student Sajid Abdullah, the investigation into the case has yet to produce a visible breakthrough, while several questions surrounding the incident remain unresolved. The case was transferred from the police to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and the investigating officer was later changed, but no suspect has been arrested so far. Recent reports also say investigators have been unable to unlock Sajid’s mobile phone, which is considered an important piece of evidence.
Sajid Abdullah was a student of the 2021-22 academic session in the Department of Al-Quran and Islamic Studies at Islamic University. His body was recovered from a pond in front of Shah Azizur Rahman Hall on July 17, 2025, at around 4:45pm. His autopsy was conducted at Kushtia Sadar Hospital at 9:30am the following day.
Subsequent forensic and post-mortem findings reported that Sajid had been killed by strangulation. A viscera report cited in contemporary reports indicated that his death had occurred during the early hours of July 16.
On August 4, 2025, Sajid’s father, Ahsan Habibullah, filed a murder case with Islamic University Police Station against unidentified individuals. The investigation was later transferred to the CID.
The investigation was initially conducted by Inspector Abdullah Al Mamun of Islamic University Police Station. Following a request from the family, the case was later handed over to Inspector Saiful Islam of the Kushtia CID. In May 2026, Saiful Islam was replaced by Inspector Mahabbat Hossain as the investigating officer.
Despite the passage of 13 months, no suspect has been arrested in the case. The inability to unlock Sajid’s mobile phone has also become one of the major unresolved aspects of the investigation. A recent report said the possibility of retrieving potentially important information from the device remains uncertain.
Students have raised several questions about the circumstances surrounding the death. These include allegations concerning access to Sajid’s room after it had been sealed on the night of the incident, questions over CCTV footage at the hall, the entry of several people through the main gate that night, claims that calls were answered on Sajid’s phone after his death, the continued inability to unlock his phone and an allegation involving the cloning of the phone of his close friend, Insan.
Students say they have not received satisfactory explanations regarding these issues. Sajid’s classmate Mozammel Hossain said several questions remain unanswered and alleged that the failure to identify those responsible after such a long period reflects negligence by the university administration and the CID.
Sajid’s father, Ahsan Habibullah, said there has been no visible progress toward securing justice for his son. He said he has no communication with the university administration but remains in contact with the CID. However, he said he has not received updates on the case and believes both the CID and university administration have been negligent.
Inspector Mahabbat Hossain, the current CID investigating officer, said he had visited the campus several times since taking charge of the case and that some progress had been made. However, he said details could not be disclosed in the interest of the investigation. In another recent report, he similarly said the investigation was ongoing and that investigators were examining evidence and taking statements.
Students have held several demonstrations, human chains and protest programmes over the past year demanding justice for Sajid. On the first anniversary of his death in July 2026, his family and fellow students again demanded progress in the investigation and justice in the case.
The university vice-chancellor, Professor Dr AKM Matinur Rahman, was contacted several times for comment, but he did not answer the calls. Attempts to meet him at his office were also unsuccessful as he was reportedly busy.
