Two chhatra dal leaders suspended in SUST, banned from campus for 2 years

The Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) administration has suspended two leaders of the university unit of Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chatradal for four semesters over the assault of a student who complained about food quality in a residential hall. Furthermore, the authorities have banned them from entering or staying on the campus for the next two years.

The decision was made during an emergency Syndicate meeting held online on Tuesday night (July 21). Professor Zahir Bin Alam, a member of the Syndicate, confirmed the matter.

The expelled individuals are Hasibur Rahman, Communication Secretary of the university unit Chatradal and a student of the Political Studies department, and Tareq Rahman, Assistant Office Secretary and a student of the Statistics department. Both are students of the 2021-22 academic session and residential students of Shahparan Hall.

Professor Zahir Bin Alam stated that the action was taken based on the recommendations of the inquiry and discipline committee. Although they will be allowed to return to campus as regular students after two years, they will lose the privilege of residing in university halls.

Additionally, the university authorities decided to ensure the physical and mental security of the victim, alongside covering all expenses incurred for his medical treatment.

According to university sources, Khairul Khondokar, a student of the Sociology department (2023-24 session) and a resident of Shahparan Hall, was allegedly assaulted near the main gate of the university on the night of July 18 after voicing complaints regarding canteen food quality in the hall's WhatsApp group. He was subsequently admitted to a hospital in Sylhet city for treatment.

Earlier, on July 19, the central Chhatra Dal leadership also expelled both leaders from their party positions on charges of breaching organizational discipline.