JUST forms fact-finding committee over 'sexual harassment' during study tour

The Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) administration has formed a fact-finding committee following allegations of sexual harassment against a female student during a study tour.

The five-member committee was formed this afternoon (9 May), with Imran Khan, convener of the deans' committee, appointed as its head.

Confirming the matter, Nazmul Hossain, information officer of the university's public relations office, said the administration took the step after receiving a complaint from a student.

He added that the committee has been asked to submit its report as soon as possible.

When contacted, two members of the committee have declined to comment, citing restrictions on speaking to the media during the investigation.

Monirul Islam, a lecturer in the Environmental Science department, has been accused of sexually harassing a second-year female student during the tour on 5 May.

According to teachers and students of the department, about a week ago, second-year students were taken to Cox's Bazar for an academic excursion. Several faculty members, including the accused lecturer, accompanied the group.

The incident took place during the trip and became known on campus after they returned. However, no visible legal action has yet been taken by the university authorities.

Instead, allegations have surfaced that the issue was informally addressed by taking a written undertaking from the accused teacher on that day in an attempt to settle the matter.

A student of the department, on condition of anonymity, told The Business Standard that the victim had formally lodged a complaint accusing the teacher of harassment and demanded that he be barred from teaching second-year students.

The student also alleged that the department attempted to resolve the issue by taking a written undertaking from the accused.

The victim, reportedly in a state of mental distress, declined to comment on the matter.

Attempts to contact the department's chairman, Gopal Chandra Ghosh, were unsuccessful.

Efforts to reach the accused lecturer for comment were also unsuccessful.

The incident has sparked criticism on social media, with current and former students expressing concern and condemnation through Facebook posts.

Meanwhile, Rashed Khan, a former student of the university and a candidate in the 13th parliamentary election from the Jashore-3 constituency, wrote in a Facebook post that he felt ashamed as an alumnus.

He alleged that the incident was an "open secret" and questioned why no one had protested earlier.