IU ragging victim changes dorms after return to campus

Fulpori Khatun, the first-year student who was the victim of alleged ragging by Chhatra League leaders and activists, returned to the Islamic University campus in Kushtia on Saturday morning to select her preferred dormitory. 

She said she wishes to stay at Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall.

Fulpori Khatun previously started at Deshratno Sheikh Hasina Hall where she faced physical assault.

She and her father Ataur Rahman returned to the campus along with Pabna and Kushtia police around 10:30am. 

Proctor Prof Shahadat Hossain Azad said: "She was brought to the campus safely with help from Pabna and Kushtia police. She was accompanied by Assistant Proctor Shahabul Alam. She wishes to stay at Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall. We spoke through the student advisor and the process is underway to allot a seat as per her choice.''

Earlier, on Wednesday, the High Court ordered the authorities at Islamic University to expel five of its students who were found to be involved in the torture and humiliation of Fulpori Khatun at Deshratno Sheikh Hasina Hall.

The court also directed the university to relieve Deshratno Sheikh Hasina Hall Provost Shamsul Alam, the house tutor and several others of their duties.

The five students – IU Chhatra League Vice President Sanjida Chowdhury Ontora of the statistics department, and activists Tabassum Islam of the finance and banking department, Israt Zahan Meem of the law department, Halima Khatun Urmi of the fine arts department and Moabiya of the finance and banking department – would not be allowed to take part in academic activities or stay on campus, the court ruled.

Besides, it asked the IU authorities to allot the victim a dormitory room as per her choice.

The High Court issued the order following a probe report submitted by a judicial inquiry committee formed in this regard.

The committee found that the girl had been tortured brutally and inhumanely, and the university authorities had failed to act properly.

Chhatra League also expelled the five from the organization.

Fulpori was tortured and humiliated by IU Chhatra League Vice President Shanjida Chowdhury Ontora and her cohorts at Deshratno Sheikh Hasina Hall on February 12.

The incident came to light after the victim left the hall and disclosed the matter to her seniors and her family members the next day.

The Chhatra League leader also threatened that she would release the video on social media if Fulpori disclosed the matter to anyone, according to the complainant.

She lodged a written complaint with the university administration, including the university proctor, student adviser and the hall provost, demanding punishment of those involved in the incident on February 14.

Two probe bodies were formed by the IU authorities and the Deshratno Sheikh Hasina Hall administration afterwards.