Jagannath University student and JCD leader Jubayed Hossain was murdered in Old Dhaka in a plot masterminded by his student and alleged lover Barjis Shabnam Barsha. Police say Barsha and her ex-boyfriend Mahir Rahman planned the killing over 23 days after a love triangle turned deadly. Jubayed begged for his life, but Barsha refused to help. The case sparked protests at the university demanding justice.
A Jagannath University (JnU) student and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) leader, Jubayed Hossain, was brutally murdered while his student, Barjis Shabnam Barsha, was reportedly present at the scene. According to police, Jubayed pleaded for his life, but Barsha remained unmoved.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) revealed the details of the killing at a press conference held on Tuesday (October 21) at the DMP Media Center.
Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Operations) S. N. Md. Nazrul Islam stated that Barsha developed a romantic relationship with Jubayed while receiving tuition from him. Their relationship led Barsha to end her previous affair with Mahir Rahman, though she struggled to move on from him. Eventually, Barsha and Mahir allegedly plotted to kill Jubayed — a plan that took shape over 23 days.
During preliminary interrogation, the suspects confessed that they initially only intended to scare Jubayed. However, under Barsha’s influence, Mahir went ahead with the murder and personally slit Jubayed’s throat, police said.
The victim, Jubayed, was a student of the Department of Statistics (2019–20 session) at Jagannath University. He also served as president of the Comilla District Students’ Welfare Council and was a member of the JnU JCD convening committee.
On Sunday (October 19) afternoon, Mahir met Jubayed near Barsha’s residence in Armanitola, Old Dhaka, while Jubayed was on his way there for tutoring. Following a heated argument, Jubayed was fatally stabbed.
After the autopsy, his first funeral prayer (janaza) was held on the university campus on Monday afternoon, and his body was later buried at his ancestral home.
“Jubayed was still alive after being attacked. He knocked on a second-floor door for help, but no one responded. Then he went upstairs, where Barsha was standing on the third floor, watching to confirm his death. Seeing her, Jubayed pleaded, ‘Save me.’ But Barsha replied, ‘If you don’t die, I can’t be with Mahir,’” said Lalbagh Zone Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mallik Ahsan Uddin Sami.
Earlier in the day, at the same press briefing, Additional Commissioner Nazrul Islam said that Barsha was the mastermind behind the killing. After Mahir learned about her relationship with Jubayed on September 26, the pair began planning the murder. It was ultimately carried out by Mahir Rahman and his two friends, Fardin Ahmed and Ailan.
Nazrul Islam further explained that although Barsha had been in a relationship with Mahir, she fell in love with Jubayed after meeting him. Despite breaking up with Mahir, she couldn’t forget him. To win him back, Barsha conspired to have Jubayed killed.
The police official also clarified that the killing was not politically motivated but stemmed from a love triangle, drawing parallels to the Barguna Minni case.
Following the murder, JnU students staged a protest in front of Bangshal Police Station, setting fire and blocking Tatibazar intersection to demand the arrest of the perpetrators. Later that night, around 11 p.m., police detained Barsha and took her into custody after prolonged interrogation. She was escorted to Bangshal Police Station under police protection. Mahir and two others were subsequently arrested.