Khulna University Student Beaten to Death Over Unannounced Mess Meal, Police Investigate

A first-year university student in Khulna has died after allegedly being beaten by fellow mess residents over a dispute involving an unreported meal, according to police, who have confirmed an investigation is underway. The victim's body is currently held at the Khulna Medical College Hospital morgue and will be released to his family following a post-mortem examination. The deceased has been identified as Md. Ajmal Hossain, 22, a first-year English student at North Western University. He was from Bara Salua village in Darshana, Chuadanga, and was the son of Md. Kutub Uddin. What Led to the Incident According to relatives, Ajmal lived in a rented mess in the Islam Nagar area of Khulna, where residents were required to inform the person managing meals at least two hours in advance before eating. On Friday night, Ajmal reportedly ate a meal without giving prior notice, prompting anger from other mess members. An altercation followed, during which Ajmal was taken to the rooftop of the five-story building, where he was allegedly beaten and had his hair forcibly cut. At some point during the confrontation, he fell from the roof. He was rescued and rushed to Khulna Medical College Hospital, where he later died while receiving treatment. Father Describes Threatening Phone Call Ajmal's father said his son called him around 9 p.m. that evening, explaining that he was being accused of eating without notice and of stealing money. He alleged that when he spoke with some of the mess members by phone, they demanded 1 lakh taka (roughly $830) from him. He said he attempted to defuse the situation by promising to resolve the matter directly. The mess's cook told investigators that food was typically prepared and served for all residents to share, and that Ajmal had eaten a meal that day without informing anyone — something he reportedly admitted when confronted by other residents. She said she had also heard allegations that he was accused of stealing food, money, a mobile phone, and a laptop, though the truth of those claims remains unverified. Police Confirm Assault, Investigation Ongoing Md. Iqbal Hossain, Officer-in-Charge of Harintana Police Station, said an on-scene investigation confirmed that the student had been beaten. Police have seized the stick allegedly used in the assault on the rooftop. Investigators have also requested Call Detail Records (CDR) for the phone call in which money was allegedly demanded from the victim's father, in order to further examine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The OC said the full cause and sequence of events would be clarified through a thorough investigation. University Calls for Swift Action University authorities have described Ajmal's death as mysterious and have urged the administration to take immediate action in response to the incident