Protest at KU over secret video recording in female students' washroom

Students at Khulna University have taken to the streets across the campus after a canteen worker was handed over to police on charges of secretly recording videos inside a female students' residential hall washroom. Demanding exemplary punishment for the accused and ensuring campus security, students boycotted classes on Thursday (July 23) and put up locks on the administrative building and other facilities.

Students alleged that on Wednesday night, an attempt was made to record a video through the ventilator gap of the washroom adjacent to the common room of Bijoy-24 Hall. The student noticed the incident and informed her classmates, prompting other students to gather at the scene. Later, the canteen worker, Imam Hasan, was detained, beaten and handed over to Harintana Police Station through the university administration.

Students claimed that multiple secretly recorded videos were found on the accused's mobile phone. They also alleged that these videos had been circulated on various Telegram groups for a long time. Students also accused the accused's wife of involvement in the incident.

In protest, students locked the main gate, pocket gate and administrative building of the university. Holding a rally at Hadi Chattar, they demanded a fair trial of the sexual harassment incident on campus and exemplary punishment for those responsible. They also announced the suspension of all academic activities until their demands are met.

Assistant Director of Student Affairs Md Hasan Masud said the accused has been handed over to police and the administration is in discussion with the students.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Rezaul Karim said the students' demands are being reviewed and efforts are underway to resolve the matter swiftly.

Harintana Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Helal Uddin said the accused is being treated at Khulna Medical College Hospital after being injured in the beating. Legal action is being taken regarding the complaint.