I BECAME A LAWYER TO FIGHT MY DAD'S KILLER

When Shagufta's father was killed, she took matters into her own hands

- RUSSELL BELL

Growing up, Shagufta Tabassum Ahmed idolised her father. She was such a daddy's girl that, even at 18, she still held his hand when they crossed the road.

Shagufta went on to study law, even though she had no intention of becoming a lawyer, because she knew it'd make her dad happy.

A university lecturer of geology and mining, Dr Taher Ahmed was also doted on by his students.

He chose to walk everywhere and took the bus to the campus, rather than buying a car, and he adored his wife, Sultana.

When Shagufta and her brother, Sanzid, were little, the family lived in a small house on campus, where they played with the children of other lecturers.

But by early 2006, Shagufta, her mother and brother had moved to the city of Dhaka, Bangladesh, where Shagufta pursued her law studies. While her dad remained at the university, he'd visit them regularly.

On the afternoon of February 1, 2006, after one such visit, Taher took the bus back to campus to do some work.

He called his wife to let her know he'd arrived safely, then called her again a few hours later, at 9pm, as he got ready for bed.

The next morning, he was due to attend an important meeting about the future of a colleague, Dr Mia Mohammad Mohiuddin.

Once close friends, the academics had fallen out when honest Taher noticed instances of plagiarism in Dr Mohiuddin's work and reported it to faculty staff.