An attempted rape case has been filed against an unidentified individual after a female student of Jahangirnagar University (JU) alleged that an outsider attacked and attempted to rape her on campus late Tuesday night.
Md Gafrul Hasan Chowdhury, JU deputy registrar (security section) filed the case. According to administrative sources, the incident took place in the area between the abandoned Fazilatunnesa Hall and the extended section of Al Beruni Hall.
Security officials, citing the victim—a student of the 51st batch (2021–22 academic year)—said she was walking along a campus road shortly after 11:00pm when she was allegedly followed by an unidentified man. As she reached near the abandoned hall, the man reportedly wrapped a net-like object around her neck and dragged her into nearby bushes beside the extended area of Al Beruni Hall.
Several students passing the area on motorcycles reportedly heard screams and rushed to the scene. University security personnel and members of the proctorial body later arrived after being informed.
Jahid Hasan, a student of the Department of Microbiology from the 47th batch, said they heard a female student screaming around 11:00pm near the old Fazilatunnesa Hall area and rushed to the spot. He said they found the victim in a distressed condition inside the bushes, where she informed them that an unknown man had attempted to assault her.
Garul Hasan said students informed them around 11:15pm. “We immediately searched the entire area but could not find the suspect,” he said. He added that the victim was given first aid at the university medical center and that CCTV footage was being reviewed to identify the suspect. He further said the suspect has been preliminarily identified from the footage.
Students staged daylong protests on campus, holding demonstrations and sit-ins demanding the immediate arrest of the accused and maximum punishment. They also criticized the administration, alleging security failures and delays in addressing crimes involving outsiders.
University Proctor Prof AKM Rashidul Alam said CCTV footage shows the suspect’s face and confirmed that a case has been filed. He added that police assistance has been sought and, based on preliminary assessment, the suspect is believed not to be a university student.
Ashulia Police Officer-in-Charge Md Toriqul Islam said a 10-member investigative team has been deployed to the campus area. Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) is also assisting in the investigation. “We hope to arrest the offender soon,” he said.
