Dhaka University (DU) authorities have formed two separate committees to investigate the incident of a female student receiving a gang rape threat over the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Daksu) election.
The university’s Proctor’s Office has set up a three-member committee, while the Daksu and Hall Union Election Commission has constituted a two-member fact-finding body.
The threat emerged after the student filed a writ petition challenging the candidacy of Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed GS candidate SM Farhad. Following the petition, the High Court on Monday ordered a stay on the Daksu election. In response, Ali Hossain, a student of the 2020–21 academic session in the sociology department, posted a Facebook status threatening the petitioner with gang rape.
The post sparked widespread outrage among student groups, teachers, and organizations. Dhaka University Teachers’ Network demanded exemplary punishment for the accused, while Bangladesh Chhatra Dal staged a protest march on campus condemning the threat.
Later, the Proctor’s Office announced the formation of a special three-member probe committee to investigate the incident. Assistant Proctor Muhammad Mahbub Kayser was made convener, while Assistant Proctors Sheherin Amin Bhuiya and Md. Rezaul Karim Sohag were appointed as members.
Meanwhile, the Daksu and Hall Union Election Commission formed a separate two-member fact-finding committee, headed by Returning Officer Prof. Kazi Mostak Gausul Haque with Assistant Proctor Jahangir Alam as a member. The committee has been asked to submit its report within three working days.
At a press conference on Tuesday at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building, Chief Returning Officer Prof. Mohammad Jasim Uddin confirmed the move and outlined election preparations. He said a special committee had already met with the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) chairman to discuss measures against cyberbullying.
He added that names of online groups and page administrators accused of spreading misinformation over the Daksu election have been submitted to the BTRC and Dhaka Metropolitan Police.
The Chief Returning Officer also discussed security measures, including arrangements for polling day, vote counting, and ensuring safe transport for non-resident students. Instructions have been issued to hall authorities to prevent outsiders from staying in residential halls during the election. For the first time, visually impaired students will be able to cast their votes using Braille ballots, he added.
