Rajshahi University teacher Joly’s colleague charged for ‘instigation to end life’

Police have brought charges of 'instigation to end life' against Atikur Rahman, a colleague of Rajshahi University teacher Akter Jahan Joly, who reportedly killed herself last year.

Joly, an associate professor of mass communication and journalism, was found dead at her quarter on the campus on Sept 9, 2016.

A note was found in the room that said: “No-one is responsible for my death. I am taking my own life due to physical and mental stress.”

In the note, Joly is purported to have urged that "her son’s custody should in no way be given to his father Tanvir Ahmed.

“The father, who can put a knife on his son’s throat, can also kill his son or force him to die anytime,” it said.

Joly’s younger brother Kamrul Hasan started a case against unidentified people with Motihar police in Rajshahi.

Police detained RU Assistant Professor Atikur Rahman in November last year and showed him arrested in a case filed on charge of ‘instigation to end life’.

“After going through the call list and messages on Joly’s mobile phone, we are certain that Atikur indeed 'encouraged' her to take her own life,” DB Assistant Commissioner Al Amin had said then.

RU syndicate suspended Atikur the same month. Later, he secured bail from the High Court.

The university then started an inquiry into Joly’s ex-husband Tanvir Ahmed, who taught at the same department as an associate professor.

The three-member committee headed by Environmental Science Institute Director Prof Md Sultan-Ul-Islam is yet to report their findings.

“The investigation is on. We will submit the report by the end of this month,” Prof Sultan has told bdnews24.com.

Tanvir was sent on a special leave with pay.

Sub-Inspector Brojo Gopal of Motihar Police Station is investigating the case over Joly’s death.