Abu Sayed died from bullet wounds, says doctor who conducted autopsy

The statement came amid speculation surrounding the autopsy report into the death of the first victim of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement protests

There has been widespread speculation regarding the death of Abu Sayed, who became a symbol of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement after he was killed during a protest in Rangpur. Many people are sharing the autopsy report, saying that he died from a heavy blow to the head.

But Dr Rajibul Islam, who conducted the autopsy, said Abu Sayed died from ‘multiple organ haemorrhaging after being hit with a bullet’. This means he was bleeding heavily from various organs.

The doctor dismissed the rumours swirling on social media regarding the autopsy.

“It is an era for views and many people are spreading misinformation to farm views.”

Abu Sayed, a student of Begum Rokeya University's English department, was shot dead on Jul 16 during the Anti-discrimination Student Movement.

A video of the incident shows Abu Sayed standing in the street with his arms and legs spread before he is struck by a police bullet and falls to the ground. It was said at the time that he was killed due to fire from a shotgun at close range.

Whenever someone suffers an unnatural death, the police send the body to the morgue of the local hospital or medical college. There, with the help of morgue assistants, a specialist doctor from the forensics department conducts an autopsy. Based on the findings, an autopsy report is compiled.

In certain cases, some internal parts of the body called the viscera, are sent for chemical tests. No tests were conducted on Abu Sayed’s body. It was clear in the autopsy that he had died from a bullet, the doctor said.

The Awami League government was in power when Abu Sayed died. The report of his death sparked widespread outrage and sparked further protests.

Two and a half months later, after the fall of the Awami League administration, the autopsy report was once again making the rounds. Many have attempted to point to a blow in the head as the cause of death. There has been rampant speculation on how such a blow may have occurred.

But Dr Islam, an assistant professor at the Rangpur Medical College’s Department of Forensic Medicine, said Abu Sayed died from bullet wounds.

Regarding the recent speculation, he said: “Non-medical people are giving incorrect interpretations of the situation.”

“Non-medical people don’t really understand it. He had internal haemorrhaging of multiple organs due to multiple pellet injuries from gunfire. He died from that. Many people are spreading incorrect information to try and rack up views. It is not right.”

The forensic specialist said: “We noted the multiple pellet injuries to Abu Sayed from the bullets. One pellet hit his head, but there is no mention of a head injury. If there is a head injury, then there is intracranial haemorrhage and bone fractures. This is the main cause of head injuries – intracranial haemorrhaging. Those who die from head injuries generally have bone fractures too. Nothing of the sort was reported about Abu Sayed. The pellets struck several parts of his body. There was internal haemorrhaging in multiple organs, he went into shock and died of haemorrhaging.”

In summary, he said: “This is a straightforward homicide case. You may have seen the report. In the report, the word ‘homicidal’ is noted in the broad heading, which means he was killed.”

“You can see that he died from gunfire with multiple pellet injuries.”

There is no ambiguity, Dr Islam said.

“In our report, another line was added: ‘Please consider the circumstantial evidence’. This means that you must consider the situation at the time. This means that he was shot, rescued, and brought in.”

Abu Sayed was one of the conveners of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement. His death further agitated the protests.

Following his death, Ramzan Ali, Abu Sayed’s elder brother, filed a case at the capital’s Tajhat Police Station. The case is currently being investigated by the PBI.

According to the case dossier, former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, former Rangpur Range DIG Abdul Baten, former Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Moniruzzaman, Deputy Commissioner (crime) Abu Maruf Hossain, police members Syed Amir Ali, Shujon Chandra Ray and 17 others have been made defendants to the case. In addition, 30 to 35 unidentified individuals were also accused.

The case dossier says that on Jul 16, he was unarmed, alone and of no threat to the police. However, he was still shot. As he tried to stand up, he was shot again.

It also states that on the day of the incident, bricks and stones were hurled at the students from inside Begum Rokeya University under the leadership of Chhatra League unit president Pommel Barua around 2pm. However, Abu Sayed did not back down and went ahead with both hands outstretched.

Later, Rafiul Hasan, an official of the proctor's office, came forward wearing a helmet and directed the forces to shoot Abu Sayed. Mashiur Rahman and Asaduzzaman Mondal, both teachers of the university, then instigated the police to open fire.

Ramzan Ali, the plaintiff, said: "My brother was shot dead. I filed a case for his justice. We want a fair investigation. Anyone found guilty must be brought by the book."