Ahsan Labib, an accused in the murder case over the death of former Chhatra League leader Shamim Molla at Jahangirnagar University (JU), has been made acting president of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti’s central committee.

According to a press release issued by the organisation, President Zahid Ahsan resigned on Wednesday citing personal reasons at the group’s fifth general meeting. Labib was subsequently appointed acting president.

On September 18, 2024, Shamim, a former leader of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League’s JU unit, was reportedly beaten to death on the university campus.

Two days later, the university administration filed a murder case with Ashulia Police Station against eight students, including Labib, and 20-25 unidentified people. Shamim’s elder brother Shahin Alam later filed another murder case with a Dhaka court on October 9, 2024, accusing nine JU students including Labib, as well as JU Chief Security Officer Sudipta Shaheen, Deputy Registrar Gafrul Hasan Chowdhury and Proctor AKM Rashidul Alam.

Labib, also the social welfare secretary of Jucsu, has remained absconding since the cases were filed. Contacted, Sub-inspector Anisur Rahman Bappy of the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), the investigating officer in the case, said, “The case is still under investigation. Action will be taken against those who have not been arrested based on the findings of the investigation.”