DU suspends three students 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.
Three students of Dhaka University (DU) have been suspended for six months over allegations of harassing and assaulting two women in the TSC-adjacent area in the early hours of 24 February.
The action was taken following the recommendation of an investigation committee, according to a press release sent by the university's Public Relations Office today (10 March).
The suspended students are Shahriar Islam Tushar of the Theatre and Performance Studies Department, Rakib Ahmed of the World Religions and Culture Department, and Shahriar Tanzil of the Anthropology Department.
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The suspension order was issued by DU Proctor Professor Saifuddin Ahmed, exercising authority granted under the Dhaka University Order, 1973.
The university had earlier formed a probe committee after allegations emerged that two women were harassed and assaulted in the TSC-adjacent area of the campus.
A video that later circulated on social media showed the two women describing the incident and demanding justice.
In the footage, one of the women said they had eaten sehri in Nazirabazar of Old Dhaka before coming to TSC, where they were standing.
She alleged 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.
The woman further claimed 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 showed a young man in a black T-shirt holding a stick and advancing aggressively toward the women. He was identified as Rakib Ahmed.
Shahriar Islam was also seen in the video engaging in a verbal altercation with the women.
Following the incident, two men who were with the women, Touhidul Islam, a bike rider, and Ashik Mia, a friend, submitted a written complaint to the university's proctorial office.
A three-member investigation committee, headed by Assistant Proctor AKM Nur Alam Siddiqi, was formed to investigate the incident.
The committee analysed relevant information, including CCTV footage, before submitting its report to the university authorities.
