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Published : 07 Mar 2025, 02:39 AM
The Dhaka University student who filed a case after being harassed over her attire has submitted an application to withdraw it.
Shahbagh Police Station chief Khaled Mansur told bdnews24.com on Thursday, “The student has submitted a request to withdraw the case. However, only the court has the authority to dismiss it.”
Speaking to Jamuna TV, the complainant said she decided to seek withdrawal due to “death and rape threats”.
Meanwhile, allegations have surfaced that Dhaka University Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed “urged or forced” the student to drop the case.
The university has formed a three-member investigation committee to look into the matter.
Responding to the allegations, the university’s spokesperson issued a statement: “A claim circulating on social media suggests that Dhaka University Proctor Associate Professor Saifuddin Ahmed urged or pressured the student to withdraw the case. This claim is false, baseless, and deliberately misleading.
“The proctor and the proctorial body have taken the matter seriously since Wednesday. They immediately handed over the accused to police and directed that the case be filed,” it said.
On Wednesday afternoon, the student lodged the case with Shahbagh police after allegedly facing harassment outside the National Museum.
According to the complaint, the student was on her way to the campus with her friend from outside the National Museum under Shahbagh police around 1:30pm on Wednesday. When they reached outside the Raju Sculpture, Arnob suddenly got in her way to say her dress was “inappropriate” and went on to make “foul comments”, sexually harassing her.
When the student attempted to call the proctor, Arnob ran away.
She later wrote on Facebook posting a photo of the perpetrator which circulated widely among the university community, prompting demands for action.
In the post, the student wrote: “I was wearing a salwar kameez properly with a scarf. He said my scarf had slipped. I told him it wasn’t his concern and that he had no right to stare. When I tried to call the proctor, he ran away.”
Using the image, authorities identified Arnob and summoned him to the proctor’s office.
Following this, the student filed a case, and Arnob was handed over to Shahbagh police.
After his arrest, a group of people identifying themselves as “Towhidi Janata” (religious zealots) gathered outside Shahbagh Police Station past midnight, demanding his release.
They vowed to stay until he was freed and remained there until he was released from the Dhaka court's prison at 3pm on Thursday.
After securing bail, they greeted Arnob with flower garlands.
The university administration formed a three-member probe committee on Thursday.
Assistant Proctor Rafiqul Islam will lead the investigation, with Assistant Proctor Shehreen Amin Bhuiyan and the deputy librarian of the Central Library as members.
Proctor Saifuddin said, “The committee will review video footage of the incident and interview both the victim and the accused. It will take all necessary steps to uncover the truth. The university syndicate will make a decision based on the findings.”
He also said Arnob would not be allowed to continue his duties at the library while the investigation is ongoing.
Probe committee head Rafiqul confirmed that the investigation has started and pledged to submit a report soon.
