On 1st February 2006, Taher Ahmed went missing. He was a professor at Rajshahi University, Bangladesh. 2 days later, his body was found in a manhole after which his son filed a report at the police station. On March 17, the police filed a charge sheet against 6 accused in the case for alleged murder.
The 6 accused were Taher Ahmed’s departmental colleague Mia Mohammad Mohiuddin, then president of Rajshahi University Chhatra Shibir Mahbubul Alam Salehi, Taher’s residence caretaker Jahangir, Jahangir’s brother and Chhatra Shibir activist Abdus Salam, their (Jahangir and Abdus Salam) father Azimuddin and Salam’s relative Nazmul.
Taher Ahmed’s daughter, Shegufta Tabassum Ahmed, had just joined law school that year. She didn’t even want to become a practising lawyer at the time. However, when the main accused of her father’s murder got bail, she decided to become a lawyer and avenge her father’s alleged murder.
Speaking to The Business Standard, Shegufta said:
“In 2006, my father admitted me to the law department at BRAC University. However, I had no intention of becoming a practising lawyer. If you study law, you can also work in other areas — you can teach, you can work in different international organisations, you can give legal advice, you can do a lot of work. I always wanted to work out of court.”
First, the case went to the speedy trial tribunal in Rajshahi and then, to the High Court. A few days later, the main accused in the case was given bail. And then, Shegufta committed to becoming a lawyer.
“I came to know that the main accused was released on bail from the High Court. Then after discussing with my mother and brother, I firmly committed to my job as a lawyer. Although it is a criminal case, meaning the state would handle this case, there are options for us to appoint lawyers. But, we did not have that ability. The defendants hired as many as 15 to 20 lawyers. On the other hand, some lawyers helped us on their own,” she said.
On May 13 2013, the High Court announced death penalty for Mohiuddin and Jahangir and sentenced Salam and Nazmul to life imprisonment, reported The Financial Express. The convicts then moved to the Apex Court, challenging the order.
The case went on for 16 years. Shegufta couldn’t expand her career despite having a higher degree because she was devoted to fighting this case. Finally, on April 5 2022, the Appellate Division upheld the verdict of the High Court and sentenced two accused to death and two to life imprisonment.
“For 16 years I fought for this. I experienced a lot of grief and hardship. In the end I am satisfied with this verdict,” Shegufta said.
What an incredible story of grit and courage.