Sirajganj teacher who shot student in class sent to jail

A Sirajganj court has ordered the imprisonment of Dr Raihan Sharif, a Community Medicine lecturer at Shaheed M Mansur Ali Medical College and Hospital, following the incident of a student shot inside a classroom.

The decision was handed down on Tuesday by Billal Hossain, judge of the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court-1 in Sirajganj, shortly after Dr Raihan's court appearance.

The incident, which has sparked widespread condemnation, led to the formation of a three-member investigation committee by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The committee visited the medical college on Tuesday to examine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

In response to the grave incident, students of Shaheed M Mansur Ali Medical College and Hospital organised a protest on the Sirajganj-Bogura-4 lane highway, demanding the immediate dismissal and severe punishment of Dr. Raihan.

Their demands extend to the Prime Minister's intervention in the revocation of the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC) registration and the permanent removal of the accused from his teaching position.

The students eventually suspended their protest after receiving assurances from the DGHS investigative team.

Arafat Amin Tomal, 23, a third-year student and victim of the shooting, is currently receiving medical care. The incident took place on Monday afternoon during a class, resulting in Tomal's hospitalisation. Dr. Raihan was arrested at the scene, and his firearm was confiscated by the police.

Md Sirajul Islam, the officer-in-charge of the local police station, revealed that Dr Raihan Sharif was known for carrying weapons and knives, which he would openly display during lectures. Sharif reportedly threatened students with these weapons whenever they objected to their presence in the classroom.

The situation escalated during an exam on Monday when, after verbally abusing Tomal, Dr Raihan shot him, leaving the student wounded. A preliminary investigation has confirmed that the firearm used was illegal, leading to an additional charge against Dr Raihan under the Arms Act.

The victim's father, Abdullah Al Amin, has filed a case against Dr. Raihan with the Sadar Police Station, further intensifying the legal actions against the embattled lecturer.