A lecturer from Shaheed M Mansur Ali Medical College and Hospital in Sirajganj, Dr. Raihan Sharif, has been suspended for shooting a student inside a classroom. The suspension was announced by the college authorities on Wednesday, following orders from the Directorate General of Medical Education (DGME), as informed by the college’s principal, Prof. Dr. Amirul Hossain.

This action comes after a Sirajganj court, led by Judge Billal Hossain of the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court-1, sentenced Dr. Raihan to jail on Tuesday, immediately following his court appearance.

The incident has led to significant uproar, prompting the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) to establish a three-member committee to investigate. The committee visited the college on Tuesday to delve into the details of the shooting.

In protest of this shocking event, students of the medical college blocked the Sirajganj-Bogura-4 lane highway, calling for Dr. Raihan’s immediate termination and demanding stringent punishment, including the revocation of his Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC) registration and permanent removal from his teaching role. The protest was paused after the students were reassured by the DGHS investigation team.

The victim, Arafat Amin Tomal, a 23-year-old third-year student, is currently under medical treatment after being shot by Dr. Raihan during a class on Monday afternoon, which necessitated his hospitalization. Dr. Raihan was arrested on the spot, and the weapon used in the shooting was seized by the police.

Md Sirajul Islam, the officer in charge of the local police station, disclosed that Dr. Raihan Sharif had a history of brandishing weapons and knives in class and would threaten students with them. The situation reached a climax during an exam on Monday when Dr. Raihan shot Tomal after a verbal altercation, using an illegally possessed firearm, resulting in additional charges under the Arms Act against him.

The incident has further escalated after the victim’s father, Abdullah Al Amin, filed a lawsuit against Dr. Raihan at the Sadar Police Station, amplifying the legal challenges faced by the lecturer.