Authorities at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (Kuet) have expelled ten students including a former general secretary of the Kuet Chhatra League, in connection with the alleged physical and mental torture of a fellow student.
The incident of tormenting Jahidur Rahman happened in 2022.
Kuet's student discipline committee secretary Prof Mohammad Sultan Mahmud said the decision was made based on the findings of the investigation committee, and all affected students had been informed of the ruling in writing.
Additionally, three students were given punishments ranging from temporary bans to the denial of certificates.
Jahidur was allegedly tortured over accusations of making derogatory remarks about Bangabandhu and then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina, on September 11, 2022.
That night, 10–12 students first took Jahidur Rahman to Room 115 of Dr M A Rashid Hall and later to the hall's guest room, where he was tortured twice. Subsequently, a case was also filed against him under the Digital Security Act.
In August last year, a human chain was organized under the banner of general students of the university over the incident, demanding the expulsion of those involved in torturing Jahidur and others involved in other cases of student-teacher torture. There, Jahidur spoke about the torture he endured.
Following this incident, the university authorities formed an investigation committee on September 17, last year. Based on the report and recommendations of the investigation committee, the student discipline committee made the decision on January 27.
The ten expelled students are:
- Sadman Nahian Sejan (former General Secretary, Kuet Chhatra League, Computer Science and Engineering)
- Md. Raihan Ahmed (Leather Engineering)
- Sad Ahmed Turjo (Leather Engineering)
- Sazedul Kabir (Civil Engineering)
- Adnan Rafi (Leather Engineering)
- Rizwan Islam Rizvi (Leather Engineering)
- Fuaduzzaman Fahim (Textile Engineering)
- Md. Mehedi Hasan Mithu (former General Secretary, Rashid Hall Chhatra League, Textile Engineering)
- Md. Safat Morshed (Textile Engineering)
- Md. Fakhrul Islam Faris (former President, Rashid Hall Chhatra League, BECM)
These students have been banned from receiving any certificates for the next five years, with a lifetime prohibition from receiving any certificates of appreciation.
Additionally, Mostak Ahmed Tushar (Leather Engineering) has been denied certificates for three years, while Subhendu Das and Fariar Jamil Nihal (both from Civil Engineering) also faced a three-year certificate ban. They too would never receive any certificates of appreciation.
In a separate disciplinary matter, Shah Mohammad Raihan (Electrical and Electronics Engineering) has been expelled for six months for resorting to dishonest methods during an exam.