DU forms 2 probe committees over rape threat to Ducsu polls candidate
The Ducsu election commission formed one of the committees, and the university’s proctorial team constituted the other
Dhaka University today (2 September) formed two separate committees to investigate a social media rape threat made against a female student who is a candidate in the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) election.
The Ducsu election commission formed one of the committees, and the university's proctorial team constituted the other.
Prof Kazi Mostak Gausul Haque, returning officer of Ducsu polls, has been made convenor of the committee with Assistant Proctor Jahangir Alam as the member.
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The committee has been tasked with submitting its report within three working days, said a press release.
DU female student threatened with gang-rape over filing writ against Farhad's Ducsu candidacy
On the other hand, the three-member committee formed by the proctorial team has been asked to submit its report promptly, said another press release issued by the proctor office.
Assistant Proctor Muhammad Mahbub Kayser has been made convenor with assistant proctors Shehrin Amin Bhuiyan and Md Rezaul Karim Sohag as members.
Meanwhile, speaking at a press conference today, Chief Returning Officer Professor Mohammad Jasim Uddin said the committee members are working to address cyberbullying.
The committee has already met with the chairman of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission as part of its mandate, he added.
He further stated that he has provided the addresses of the online groups or pages against which complaints related to the Ducsu elections have been received, as well as the details of the administrators managing these pages.
A formal complaint has also been filed with the DMP commissioner, said Prof Jasim Uddin.
He noted that the hall administration has been instructed to ensure that no one other than registered voters is allowed to stay in the halls.
Yesterday, a female student who filed a writ petition challenging the eligibility of SM Farhad as the general secretary candidate from the panel backed by Islami Chhatra Shibir in the upcoming Ducsu election was threatened with "gang-rape" on Facebook by another student of the university.
Ali Husen, a student of the Sociology Department (academic year 2020–21), yesterday (1 September) wrote on Facebook: "Instead of protesting against the High Court, it would be better to first organise a gang rape procession! (Don't act civil over these words – whoever supports her deserves the same treatment!)."
The post immediately sparked outrage on social media. Teachers, students, and candidates in the Ducsu polls expressed anger and demanded Ali Husen's expulsion from the university as well as legal action against him.
However, Shibir's Dhaka University unit President SM Farhad denied any connection, writing on Facebook, "The DU student accused in this incident is not involved with Shibir. Those spreading propaganda to link Shibir with this will face legal action, Inshallah."
Later in the day, Shibir's DU unit lodged a complaint with the university authorities against Ali Hossain for the rape threat.
