The movement over an alleged attempted rape and attempted murder of a female student at Jahangirnagar University has intensified further as protesting students locked the Registrar Building on Sunday morning and stepped up their demand for justice and the resignation of the Proctorial Body.
Around 10am, agitating students gathered in front of the Registrar Building and locked its main gate as part of their ongoing protest. They alleged that five days have passed since the incident, but the administration and law enforcement agencies have shown no visible progress in arresting the accused.
Drama and Theatre Studies student Adrita Ray said the delay in identifying and arresting the main suspect has deepened frustration among students and raised questions over administrative accountability.
She said the students’ six-point demand prioritises immediate arrest of the accused. “We locked the Registrar Building to increase pressure for action. However, emergency movement inside the building will not be blocked,” she added.
Earlier, students declared Proctor Professor AKM Rashidul Alam “unwanted” on campus after failing to arrest the accused within a 48-hour ultimatum. They also locked the Proctor Office.
On Friday night, students from different dormitories staged protests and marched across the campus. They later held a sit-in in front of the Vice-Chancellor’s residence and demanded the resignation of the Proctorial Body and stronger campus security.
The students alleged that the administration has failed to ensure safety inside the university, arguing that the current Proctorial Body has lost its moral authority to continue in office.
The incident took place on Tuesday night near the old Fazilatunnesa Hall area, where a female student was allegedly dragged into bushes and subjected to an attempted rape and murder attempt. A case was filed at Ashulia Police Station the following day by the university administration.
Following the incident, students issued an ultimatum for the arrest of the accused and also demanded strengthened campus security, recruitment of female security personnel, formation of a quick response team, and implementation of cyber protection measures.
Seven-member probe body formed
Meanwhile, the university administration has formed a seven-member investigation committee to probe the alleged attempted rape and murder of a female student.
The decision was taken at an emergency administrative meeting held on Saturday, chaired by Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan, according to a press release issued by the university’s Public Relations Office.
The statement said an unidentified outsider allegedly attacked a student on the night of 12 May, attempting rape and murder. The committee has been formed to determine whether any security lapses occurred, identify responsible individuals or departments, and recommend necessary measures.
Professor Dr Md Sohel Rana of the Pharmacy Department has been made the convener of the committee. Several other teachers from different departments are also members, while Deputy Registrar Lutfor Rahman Arif has been appointed member secretary.
The administration has instructed the committee to submit its report within seven working days.
