Probe body formed over late-night woman harassment at DU

Dhaka University (DU) has formed a three-member investigation committee after a viral video showed a male student charging at a woman with a stick near the campus’ Teacher-Student Centre (TSC).

Earlier on Wednesday, a video circulated widely on social media. The footage shows Ahmed Rakib, a student from the 2023–24 academic session of the Department of World Religions and Culture, holding a stick and approaching a woman in an aggressive manner near TSC.

Another student, Shahriar Tushar from the Department of Theatre and Performance, is also seen in the video.

In the footage, the visibly distressed woman is seen demanding justice through tears. She claims that she and her companions had gone to TSC after having sehri in Old Dhaka when they were harassed.

According to the victim, the accused student referred to them as “prostitutes.” A woman can also be heard saying, “Why would you raise your hand on me when you’re a Dhaka University student?”

Sources say that Ahmed Rakib is also an accused in the Sabbir murder case that took place in Gazipur’s Kaliakoir upazila, in September 2024.

DU Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed confirmed that the university authorities have reviewed the video.

“A three-member investigation committee has been formed to verify the incident. Necessary action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation,” he said.

Further details are awaited as the investigation proceeds.

NRE/AM