5-Member Panel to Probe Rajshahi University Student's Death

Authorities at Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital (RMCH) on Thursday formed a five-member panel to probe the death of a Rajshahi University (RU) student in the wake of allegations of lapse on part of doctors.

On Wednesday night, Shahriar, the fourth-year student of the university's marketing department, died after allegedly falling off the roof of Shaheed Habibur Rahman Hall.

Brig General Shamim Yeazdani, director of RMCH, said the probe body, headed by Prof Noushad Ali, will investigate the death of Shahriar and "whether there was any lapse or dereliction of duty on part of doctors".

The other members of the committee are the university proctor, the student advisor and two additional police commissioners of Rajshahi. The probe body has been asked to submit its report within three working days.

After Shahriar fell off the roof of Shaheed Habibur Rahman Hall of the university on Wednesday night, some students took him to RMCH where he was declared dead on arrival.

A student, named Jahangir, who was at the scene, however, told UNB that Shahriar was taken to the hospital around 8.30pm. "But he was not given treatment till 9.30pm. There was no doctor at the emergency department. Only an intern was there."

Meanwhile, Shahriar's classmates vandalised the hospital as the doctors did not come on time. That led to a scuffle between the students and the medical interns.

Later, the interns embarked on an indefinite strike, protesting the attack on them by some students of RU.

On the other hand, the RU students thronged the area and demanded punishment against the attackers. Both sides dispersed subsequently.