DU Arson Suspect Identified, No Arrest Yet

Police have identified the masked youth seen torching a fascist effigy at Dhaka University’s Faculty of Fine Arts ahead of the Pahela Baishakh celebrations, but no arrest has been made yet.

CCTV footage of the arson, which occurred early Saturday, went viral the following day. Students allege the suspect is from DU’s Arabic Department and affiliated with the banned student wing of the Bangladesh Awami League.

Sources say the youth, enrolled in the 2021–22 session and formerly a resident of Masterda Surya Sen Hall, is a follower of Mazharul Kabir Shayon, president of the banned Dhaka University Chhatra League. He has reportedly been missing since the fall of the AL government in August 2024.

Despite police assurances of a swift arrest before the New Year’s procession on Sunday morning, the suspect remains at large. Officials say public disclosure of his identity has complicated efforts to capture him.

A case has been filed at Shahbagh Police Station. The effigy, along with a peace symbol, was part of DU’s traditional New Year displays and is now being rebuilt.