According to discussions with journalists in Savar, Rahul Chand played a leading role in the aggressive actions of the police during the July uprising. He is also alleged to have maintained close ties with local Chhatra League and Awami League leaders. Chand was reportedly seen actively participating in suppressing the movement, wearing a helmet and bulletproof jacket alongside police forces in the field.
On August 5, 2024, during a procession of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Savar, police opened fire allegedly under Chand’s direction. This incident led to the death of Alif Ahmed Siam, a tenth-grade student of Savar Dairy Farm School, among others. On June 6, Siam’s father, Bulbul Kabir, filed a murder case at Savar Police Station, naming 32 individuals as accused, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as the prime accused, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan as the second accused, former Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader as the third, former IGP Abdullah Al Mamun as the fourth, and Rahul Chand as the fifth accused.
According to the case statement, on August 5, 2024, students, including Siam, joined a Dhaka-bound long march led by Jahangirnagar University students. When the procession reached the Savar bus stand area between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM, police opened indiscriminate fire. Siam was critically injured in the shooting and was admitted to Enam Medical College Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on August 7. He was later buried in his hometown, Bagerhat.
Bulbul Kabir stated, “I was devastated by the incident, which caused a delay in filing the case. However, it is unfortunate that Rahul Chand, who allegedly ordered the shooting, has not yet been arrested by the police. He is currently serving in Rajapur without any repercussions. I demand his arrest.”
The Officer-in-Charge of Savar Police Station, Jewel Miah, confirmed the case is under investigation but declined to comment further. Rahul Chand, when contacted, said, “The matter is entirely personal. I have nothing to say about it,” before disconnecting the call. Jhalakathi Deputy Commissioner Ashrafur Rahman stated, “This is a government matter. I will not comment on it.”
