Medical professional testifies under oath that he faced pressure to manipulate the autopsy findings for Abu Sayed

In a shocking revelation, Dr Rajibul Islam, Assistant Professor and Head of the Forensic Department at Rangpur Medical College, has testified before the International Crimes Tribunal about the pressure he faced to alter the autopsy report of Abu Sayed, a student at Begum Rokeya University who was killed during the quota reform movement last year on 16 July.

Dr Rajibul conducted the autopsy of Abu Sayed on the same day. In his initial report, he noted the presence of multiple pellets in Abu Sayed's body, which caused internal bleeding and led to his death. However, this report was rejected by the investigating officer of Tajhat police station and higher authorities.

Following this rejection, Dr Rajibul was summoned to the office of Rangpur Medical College's vice-principal. It was during this meeting that he was offered foreign trips to Singapore or Thailand in exchange for altering the autopsy report. The meeting was attended by Principal Dr Mahfuzur Rahman, City SB SP Siddiq, Rangpur Metropolitan Police DC Maruf, and Swachip's Rangpur Medical College branch president Dr Chandan. Intelligence officers from DGFI, NSI, and other agencies were waiting outside.

Dr Rajibul was pressured to prepare the autopsy report according to their instructions, with threats of action and cases against him if he refused. They insisted that he state that Abu Sayed had died due to a head injury, omitting any reference to gunfire, while still noting pellets. However, in his fourth autopsy report, Dr Rajibul kept the injury descriptions but omitted any reference to gunfire.

Despite the pressure, Dr Rajibul resubmitted his autopsy report with minor changes, but it was also rejected on the second and third attempts. Determined to maintain the integrity of his findings, Dr Rajibul had kept a report safe after police tried to destroy it.

The case in question centers around crimes against humanity during the quota reform movement. Testimonies were recorded against Sheikh Hasina, former prime minister, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former home minister, and Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, former inspector general of police, in relation to the crimes. The hearings against these individuals were on the seventh day before the International Crimes Tribunal-1, headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder.

The president of the Swachip Foundation mentioned in connection with the events around Abu Sayed's autopsy report is Dr. Mariam Khalid. Dr Rajibul's final opinion in the fourth report read: "Death was due to shock and haemorrhage as a result of the above-mentioned injuries, which were antemortem and homicidal in nature. Please consider the circumstantial evidence."

This revelation sheds light on the attempts to manipulate evidence in a case of great importance to the nation. Dr Rajibul's bravery in standing against such pressure is commendable and serves as a testament to the importance of upholding the truth in the face of adversity.

Medical professional testifies under oath that he faced pressure to manipulate the autopsy findings for Abu Sayed