Two BCL activists arrested over sexual harassment of Jagannath University applicant

The Jagannath University administration has handed over two Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists to police over allegations of sexually harassing a female student during the university’s admission test on Saturday.

The student filed the complaint after the Unit-2 admission test for the Humanities group.

Following an investigation that initially verified the allegation, the authorities handed Jainul Abedin and Mobarak Thakur Prince, students of marketing, over to police.  

“We have received an allegation regarding inappropriate behaviour against a female candidate,” Jagannath University Proctor Noor Muhammad told bdnews24.com.

“According to our findings from an initial interrogation, both of them were handed over to Kotwali Police Station. The administration will decide on legal action against them after a meeting on the next working day,” he said.

The accused students are well-known as the supporters of Jagannath University unit BCL president Tariqul Islam.

Abedin and Prince asked her to stop while she was passing through the Faculty of Science at the university after the admission test. They attempted to touch her inappropriately and made several abusive comments, according to her complaint.

“This kind of incident is frustrating for all university students. This incident threatens women’s right to move freely. I never expect this kind of behaviour from anyone,” the elder sister of the victim, who is also a Jagannath University student, told bdnews24.com.

BCL activists allegedly attacked the police car taking the suspects to jail. Proctors rushed to the scene and convinced them to disengage.

“I do not consider their actions as that of activists of a political party, rather they were the friends of the two accused. They wanted to resolve the problem on the university campus,” said proctor Noor Muhammad.

“Those who commit crimes must be punished, no matter who they are,” said BCL President Tariqul Islam.