JU student escapes attempted rape on campus, suspect flees

A female student of Jahangirnagar University (JU) narrowly escaped an attempted rape after an unidentified man allegedly attacked her on the university campus late Tuesday night. 

The suspect fled the scene and remains at large.

The incident took place around 11:30 PM near the abandoned old Fazilatunnesa Hall area while the student was returning to her dormitory.

University sources identified the victim as a student of 2021�"22 academic session (51st batch) under Faculty of Biological Sciences.

According to students who accompanied the victim, the suspect followed her while she was walking towards her hall. Near the road adjacent to the old Fazilatunnesa Hall, the man approached her and started a conversation.

When the student asked whether he was affiliated with the university, the suspect claimed to be a student of the university’s 48th batch and said he lived in the nearby Bishmile area.

Witnesses said the man suddenly wrapped a cloth around the student’s neck, dragged her into a dark area beside the road and attempted to rape her.

The victim screamed for help, prompting nearby students to rush to the scene. The attacker fled immediately after noticing them approaching.

The student was later rescued from a bushy area in a traumatised condition, with mud stains on her clothes and body. She was then taken to the university medical centre for treatment.

Dr Tanvir Hossain, the duty doctor at the university medical centre, confirmed that the victim received primary treatment.

University authorities reviewed CCTV footage from the area and spotted a man near the scene. However, they have not yet been able to identify the suspect.

JU Proctor Prof AKM Rashidul Alam described the incident as “deeply disturbing”. 

He said that the administration was working to identify the accused using CCTV footage collected from different locations across the campus.

“The university administration stands beside the victim, and legal action will be taken immediately,” he added.

JJ/SH