Two students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) have been arrested for allegedly raping a female student and filming the incident on video.
The arrested have been identified as Shanto Tara Adnan and Swagoto Das Partho, both third year students of Department of Sociology.
According to the complaint, Adnan and Partho took the female student to a mess in the Surma residential area where they drugged and raped her.
The victim later disclosed the incident to fellow students and university authorities, prompting administrative and legal action.
The police said that the two students were arrested on Thursday night—one from the campus and the other from Surma area. Both are now in police custody.
Acting Vice Chancellor Prof Ismail Hossain stated that after receiving the complaint, the university authority tracked down and handed over the two students to the police within two hours.
During the preliminary interrogation at the proctor’s office, the evidence of raping was found to be true, said Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC-Media) of Sylhet Metropolitan Police Mohammad Saiful Islam said.
He said two cases were filed under Women and Children Repression Prevention Act and the Pornography Control Act. The accused were sent to court on Friday.
The incident has sparked widespread protests on the university campus. The students of Sociology Department said that Adnan and Partho would no longer be recognised as members of their academic batch. They also warned that students would boycott all classes and examinations if the accused are allowed to participate in any academic activities.
Adnan has been previously linked with a banned political student group and named in a case filed in connection with violence during anti-discrimination student movement on the campus.
In a widely shared social media post, student Sabikunnahar Sneha emphasized the need for justice and condemned any attempt to cover up the incident. She also called on the university authority to ensure her security and protect her dignity.
Student staged protests and demanded permanent expulsion of the two students from the university.
