The authorities of Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia suspended five female students, including a leader of the university unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), for one year for their involvement in the torture and humiliation of a first-year student of Finance and Banking Department on the campus.
IU proctor Dr Shahadat Hossainn Azad confirmed the matter.
The decision was taken in an emergency meeting of the students disciplinary committee of the university at the administrative building conference room. The meeting held with vice chancellor Professor Sheikh Abdus Salam in the chair.
The suspended students are- IU BCL unit vice-president Shanjida Chowdhury Ontora of the Statistics department and her associates Tabassum Islam and Maobiya Jahan of the Finance and Banking department, Halima Khatun Urmi of the Fine Arts department, and Israt Jahan Mim of the Law department.
IU proctor Professor Dr Shahadat Hossainn Azad said, “According to the report of the investigation committee formed on the order of the university administration and the students code of conduct of the university, the decision was taken to cancel the studentship of the accused for one year."
It is the highest punishment under the law of the university. During this time the suspended students cannot participate in anything including class-exams in the university.
Fulpori, a first-year student of Finance and Banking Department, was tortured and humiliated by Islamic University unit of BCL Vice-President Shanjida Chowdhury Ontora and her cohorts at Deshratna Sheikh Hasina Hall on the campus in Kushtia on February 12.
The incident came to light after the victim left the hall and disclosed the matter to her seniors and her family members the next day.
On February 14, the victim lodged a written complaint with the university administration, including the university proctor, student adviser and hall provost, demanding punishment of those involved in the incident.
Two probe bodies formed by the Islamic University authorities to look into the matter submitted their reports on February 26. The Deshratna Sheikh Hasina Hall administration expelled the accused on February 27.
On March 5, the university authorities suspended Ontora and four of her associates from the university as well as removed Shamsul Alam, the provost of Deshratna Sheikh Hasina Hall, from his post following the order of the High Court.
The university administration also allocated a seat to the female student of her choice in the Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall following the court order.