Attempted rape case filed over assault on JU student

A case has been filed over an alleged attempted rape of a female student on the campus of Jahangirnagar University, prompting renewed concerns over campus security.

The case was lodged with Ashulia Police Station today (May 13) against an unidentified individual.

The lawsuit was filed by the university’s Deputy Registrar of Security Affairs, Md Jafrul Hasan Chowdhury, university authorities confirmed.

According to the administration, the incident took place late Tuesday night near the abandoned Fazilatunnesa Hall and the extended section of Al Beruni Hall on the university campus.

The victim is a student of the university’s 51st batch (academic session 2021–22). Citing the student’s account, security officials said the incident occurred shortly after 11:00pm while she was walking along a campus road. At one stage, an unidentified man allegedly began following her before wrapping a net-like object around her neck and dragging her toward nearby bushes beside the abandoned hall area.

The situation took a dramatic turn when several students passing by on motorcycles heard her screams and rushed to the scene. They later found the student in a traumatised condition near the bushes.

Following the incident, members of the university’s security division and proctorial body conducted a search operation in the area but failed to detain the suspect. The victim was later taken to the university medical centre, where she received primary treatment.

University authorities said they have initially identified the suspect through CCTV footage analysis.

According to the university proctor, the accused individual’s face was visible in the footage, and preliminary findings suggest he is not a student of the university.

The investigation into the incident is currently underway.