Police release two Jagannath University BCL activists held on sexual harassment charges

Police have released the two Bangladesh Chhatra League activists of the Jagannath University who were detained over alleged sexual harassment of a female student who came to the university for admission test.

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 on Saturday. 

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

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

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

On Sunday, Kotwali Police Station OC Moshiur Rahman told bdnews24.com they released the BCL activists as neither of the alleged victim nor the university authorities lodged any complaint.

“We can’t keep someone under detention without any complaint,” he said.

The proctor said, “The university authorities’ job was to help the police. Starting a case was the victim’s job.”

He also said the authorities would take step after consulting the vice-chancellor on Monday.

The alleged victim’s father has expressed frustration over the release of the BCL activists.

He said they did not start any case considering the mental pressure on his daughter.

“And why didn’t the university authorities file the case over the incident on their campus?” he asked.