Buet student sent to jail over alleged obscene, religiously offensive remarks
Bail hearing for the case filed under the Cyber Security Act scheduled for tomorrow
A student of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet), Shrishanta Roy, was sent to jail today (22 October) over allegedly posting obscene comments against women and offensive remarks targeting religion on social media.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Ehsanul Islam issued the order after hearing arguments in a case filed under the Cyber Security Ordinance 2025 at Chawkbazar Police Station.
Shrishanta, a resident of Ahsan Ullah Hall, was arrested earlier in the day after screenshots of his alleged remarks on Reddit went viral, sparking campus outrage and protests.
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During the hearing, Sub-Inspector Shahjahan Siraj of Chawkbazar Police Station sought Shrishanta's detention, while defence lawyer Saiful Islam argued for bail, claiming the charges were "based on assumption" and "bailable," adding that such allegations are often "mobilised by creating a crowd."
Opposing the plea, state lawyer Shamsuddoha Sumon said the posts hurt the sentiments of practising Muslims. "The accused, a direct member of Iskcon, posted remarks that offended devout Muslims, triggering protests at Buet. The state opposes bail," he told the court.
Protests erupt at Buet: Student suspended over 'obscene and derogatory remarks about women'
The magistrate ordered Shrishanta's remand in jail and scheduled the bail hearing for today in the presence of the investigating officer.
The controversy erupted late Tuesday night after the posts circulated online, prompting hundreds of students to rally on campus. Protesters initially gathered outside the Directorate of Student Welfare (DSW) office, breaking its lock, before moving to the Central Shaheed Minar, demanding Shrishanta's expulsion and legal action.
In response, the university authorities convened an emergency midnight meeting, chaired by Professor AKM Masud, director of DSW, with Shrishanta's father, Deputy Commissioner Malik Ahsan Uddin Sami, university officials, and student representatives. The administration decided to temporarily suspend Shrishanta's studentship pending investigation and initiate legal proceedings.
Shrishanta was kept under protection in his dormitory amid rising campus tensions. The case, filed by a Buet security official, alleges that between 8 June and 7 September, Shrishanta, using the Reddit username "u/WeeklyService923", posted vulgar and derogatory comments about Muslim women and Islam, which "hurt the religious sentiments of devout Muslims and members of the Buet community."
He was subsequently arrested and produced in court following the filing of the case.
