NSU student jailed over blasphemy allegation

A North South University student, Apurba Pal, has been sent to jail on charges of blasphemy.

On Sunday, October 5, Sub-Inspector Chand Mia of Vatara Police Station, the investigating officer in the case, produced Apurba before court seeking his confinement. Following the hearing, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Saifuzzaman granted the petition and ordered him to be sent to jail.

According to the police submission, evidence was found during investigation linking Apurba to the desecration of the Qur’an, which he also admitted during interrogation. Police noted that the investigation is still ongoing and further remand may be sought if required. The petition further stated concerns that he might abscond if released on bail.

Apurba was arrested late on Saturday night, October 4, from a residential area in the capital. Earlier that morning, allegations had surfaced of his involvement in desecrating the Qur’an inside the university campus, triggering widespread protests from students. The university authorities quickly brought the situation under control and expelled him from the premises.

A video of the incident went viral on social media, with allegations that Apurba himself had posted it from his Facebook account. Later that night, angry students and locals gathered outside his residence in protest before police intervened, dispersed the crowd, and took him into custody.

Sub-Inspector Hasmat Ali of Vatara Police Station later filed a case against him on charges of blasphemy.