Four Gono Bishwabidyalay students accused of attack couple over marriage proof

Four students of Gono Bishwabidyalaya (GB) have been accused of attempting to raid a rented apartment in Savar's Ashulia, after allegedly suspecting that a married couple living there were in a “live-in” relationship because they could not produce proof of marriage.

The incident reportedly took place around 9pm in the Nalam area of Dhamsona union on Sunday (August 16).

The couple, both former students of Gono Bishwabidyalaya, said they have been married for a long time and have been living at the apartment as husband and wife. Two other female students also share the residence.

According to the husband, he was away buying groceries when a group of five to six people arrived at the apartment and began kicking and banging on the door. He alleged that the group also behaved aggressively toward the women inside the apartment. The group eventually left after failing to force the door open.

The husband claimed that one of the alleged attackers was wearing a jersey bearing the university logo and identified him as “Shipon” after reviewing video footage. He said he had no previous dispute with the alleged attackers but now fears for his safety. He also said he has video and audio recordings of the incident.

He further alleged that his wife had previously faced harassment from a student of the university’s agriculture department. He said she subsequently left the university and enrolled at another institution following a dispute related to the alleged harassment.

Gono Bishwabidyalay Central Students’ Union (GUCSU) Vice-President Yasin Al Mridul Dewan acknowledged that several students had gone to the apartment but disputed allegations of vandalism. He said the couple lived there with two other female students and claimed there had previously been a dispute over the residence following a theft incident.

According to Dewan, the students had gone to inquire about the situation but did not intend to vandalise the apartment. He said GokSU had taken an initiative to resolve the matter through discussions with the students and university authorities on Monday.

The accused students have not publicly commented on the allegations.

Md Tariqul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Ashulia police station, said, "Police would investigate and take legal action if a formal complaint was filed by the victims."

The university authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the incident.