DU forms probe committee over extortion allegations linked to makeshift shops

The Dhaka University administration has formed a four-member investigation committee following allegations of extortion, vandalism, and forced eviction centring on makeshift and small shops on campus.

The four-member "Fact-finding committee" was formed today (25 January) at around 11:30am in response to a written complaint submitted by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal. Committee member and Assistant Proctor AKM Nur Alam Siddique confirmed the development to The Business Standard.

Assistant Proctor Prof Md Miraj Kobad Chowdhury heads the committee as convener. Assistant Proctor Prof Shantu Barua is a member, while Estate Manager (Acting) Fatema Binte Mustafa will serve as member secretary. The committee has been instructed to determine the veracity of the allegations and submit a report swiftly.

Earlier in the morning, the Dhaka University unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal submitted a memorandum to the university administration along with a 24-hour ultimatum, seeking action against Ducsu representatives who raised allegations involving extortion against the organisation.

The memorandum said that since the "controversial" Ducsu election in September, some Ducsu representatives, allegedly with the assistance of certain university officials and students, have formed syndicates involved in extortion and shop evictions.

It added that despite facing various allegations, they have been attempting to incite violence by spreading false accusations and implicating leaders and activists of political student organisations.

Chhatra Dal also expressed deep concern over the campus environment, saying such activities threaten peace and education at the university.

The organisation warned that if a clear explanation is not provided by 8pm today and its demands are not implemented within the next 24 hours, it will take legal action against the accused Ducsu representatives as well as the University of Dhaka administration.

After submitting the memorandum, DU Chhatra Dal General Secretary Nahiduzzaman Shipon told reporters that, "A long-past incident has been deliberately brought back and portrayed as extortion to spread false propaganda and cast doubt on the festive atmosphere surrounding the long-awaited exercise of voting rights and the surge of public support in favour of the BNP."

He said that, in this context, they had immediately submitted a written complaint to the university administration and demanded that an investigation be conducted to determine whether the incident had any link to extortion.

"The findings should be disclosed to DU students by tonight and that administrative action must be taken against all those involved, regardless of who they are or how influential they may be," Shipon added.