JU student expelled over cyberbullying allegations

The authorities of Jahangirnagar University (JU) have temporarily expelled a student over allegations of cyberbullying, the use of obscene language and threatening behaviour towards a female student.

The decision was announced in an official order signed by JU acting registrar Dr ABM Azizur Rahman on Thursday.

According to the order, Golam Rabbani, a student of the Botany Department from the 50th batch, has been temporarily expelled under Section 4(1)(b) of the JU Student Discipline Ordinance–2018 following a complaint filed by a student of the English Department from the 2021–22 academic session.

During the period of suspension, Rabbani, a resident student of Nawab Salimullah Hall, will not be allowed to stay in any residential hall of the university.

Complaints said the incident stemmed from a Facebook post made by the accused student on his personal account, where he presented a university-related issue in a negative and objectionable manner. When a female student from the English Department expressed her opinion in the comments section, Rabbani allegedly responded with abusive, offensive and aggressive remarks directed at her.

The complainant said that the comments included direct insults and threatening language, which she said left her feeling humiliated and mentally distressed as a female student.

Describing the incident as cyberbullying and online harassment, she submitted a written complaint to the university administration. Following the complaint, the university authorities took disciplinary action and imposed a temporary expulsion on the accused student.

Meanwhile, the university administration formed a five- member probe committee led by Associate Professor Tamalika Sultana of the Department of Government and politics to investigate the matter and submit their commendations within 15 working days.