JU students lock admin building as rape attempt suspect remains unarrested

Students of Jahangirnagar University have locked the administrative building as the accused in the attempted rape of a female student remains unarrested. The students hung a padlock on the main gate of the administrative building around 10:30 am on Sunday, May 17.

The protesting students said over 100 hours had passed since the incident, yet the absconding accused had not been arrested. This is proof of the failure of law enforcement agencies and the university administration, they said. The step was taken to pressure authorities to meet their six-point demand, the most important being the swift arrest of the accused. However, students will be allowed to enter the building in case of emergency, they added.

On Saturday, students had also locked the office of Proctor Professor Rashidul Alam after declaring him unwelcome.

The university administration formed a seven-member committee on Saturday night to investigate the incident. The committee, headed by Professor Sohel Rana of the Pharmacy Department, has been asked to submit a report within seven days.

On the night of Tuesday, May 12, a female student was dragged into a wooded area adjacent to the old Fazilatunnesa Hall and an attempted rape was carried out. The university administration filed a case at Ashulia Police Station on Wednesday against unnamed accused. The same day, students gave a 48-hour ultimatum for the arrest of the accused.