DU forms probe body over harassment, assault of two women near TSC
A video that circulated on social media shows the two women demanding justice and describing the incident
Dhaka University has formed a committee to investigate allegations that two women were harassed and assaulted in the early hours of Wednesday (25 February) in the TSC-adjacent area of the campus.
A video that circulated on social media shows the two women demanding justice and describing the incident.
In the footage, one of the women says they had eaten sehri in Nazirabazar of Old Dhaka before coming to TSC, where they were standing. She alleges that, without provocation, a university student began slapping the bike rider who was with them. When the women protested, the accused student allegedly attacked them and made obscene remarks.
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The woman further claims that the student addressed them as "prostitutes." Expressing anger, she says they were not safe in front of the university and questioned why they were being assaulted.
Another woman is heard saying in the video, "Why would a Dhaka University student slap me? Am I not a citizen of Bangladesh? Can I not come here?"
The video also shows a young man in a black T-shirt holding a stick and advancing toward the women in an aggressive manner. He has been identified as Md Rakib Ahmed, a 2023-24 session student of the World Religions and Culture Department at the university.
Rakib had reportedly been in charge of the Gazipur-1 constituency under the seat-based coordination committee of Jatiyotabadi Chhatra Dal ahead of the 13th national election.
Another DU student, Shahriya Tushar, is seen in the video engaging in a verbal altercation with the women.
DU Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed told TBS that two men who were with the women — Touhidul Islam, a bike rider, and Ashik Mia, a friend — submitted a written complaint to the proctor's office.
He said a three-member probe committee has been formed, headed by Assistant Proctor AKM Nur Alam Siddiqi, and has been asked to submit its report as quickly as possible.
According to the proctor, the names of four to five individuals allegedly involved in the incident have been identified initially. Relevant information, including CCTV footage, has been handed over to the committee.
"The committee will conduct a thorough analysis and submit a final report, and action will be taken accordingly," he said.
