The investigation committee formed to probe the attack on journalists allegedly by leaders and activists of Rajshahi University (RU) unit Chhatra Dal failed to submit its report by the deadline set by the university administration.
On Thursday night, Vice-Chancellor Professor Faridul Islam said the investigation report was still being processed and had yet to be submitted.
“We are waiting for the investigation report. I have heard that it is being processed, and we are in constant communication. The final report may be submitted around midnight or in the early hours. If it is delayed beyond midnight, we will announce the recommendations on Friday after the university office opens,” he said.
Efforts to contact Professor Rezaul Karim, convener of the investigation committee, for comments on the delay went unanswered.
The university administration was supposed to receive the report by Thursday evening.
Earlier, at around 2am on Tuesday, the vice-chancellor had assured journalists working on campus and students that the report would be submitted within the stipulated timeframe.
The 72-hour deadline given by the vice-chancellor was due to expire on Thursday night.
Meanwhile, responding to the journalists’ demands, the vice-chancellor relieved the provost of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall of his duties over the deletion of CCTV footage recorded at the time of the attack.
Md Motiur Rahman, a resident teacher at the hall, is currently serving as acting provost. Faridul Islam said appointing a new provost with administrative experience could take one to two weeks.
Journalists and students from different departments had been staging a sit-in in front of the university’s administrative building since Monday evening, chanting slogans and demanding action over the attack.
One of their key demands was that a case be filed against those identified as being involved in the assault. They also demanded that the investigation report be submitted by Thursday evening, followed by an emergency Syndicate meeting that night to permanently expel those responsible from the university.
They further called for the cancellation of academic certificates issued to those who had already completed their studies.
The vice-chancellor expressed agreement with the demands, according to the report.
The attack took place on Sunday night in front of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall on the campus, leaving at least 10 people, including four journalists, injured.
The delay in submitting the investigation report has left the university administration facing continued pressure from journalists and students seeking accountability for the incident.
