45 Chhatra League Leaders Expelled: Allegations of ‘Punishment Without Due Process’

Local Correspondent

The Jamalpur University of Science and Technology (JUST) administration has been accused of illegally sentencing 51 people, including 45 students, following a so-called investigation into the attacks, torture and social media intimidation of students during the July uprising.

On Monday (August 25) night, the university’s registrar, Md. Nur Hossain Chowdhury, confirmed this information to the media.

This decision was taken at the 16th meeting of the university syndicate on July 29, following the report of the 13-member public inquiry commission formed based on student complaints.

According to the administration’s decision, 6 university officials and employees have been temporarily suspended. They are: Assistant Registrar Anisuzzaman, Engineer Shahiduzzaman, Section Officers Russell Mahmud and Motabbir Hossain, President of the Officers and Employees Council Mirza Halim, and Personal Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor Sohag Sarkar.

On the other hand, out of the 45 students punished, 9 are female and 36 are male. Most of them are said to be leaders and activists of Chhatra League. Among them, university branch convener Kawsar Ahmed Swadhin and joint convener Palash have been expelled for five years.

A total of 7 people, including Priya Sarkar, Organizing Secretary Rabiul Islam Emon, and Fisheries Department student Shahrin, have been expelled for one year on charges of torturing and intimidating female students.

In addition, the certificates of students who have already completed their graduation, including joint conveners Yasir Arafat Sourav, Mokarram Hossain, Mosharraf Hossain, Aviman Sarkar, Sebak Das, Masud Rana, Itisa Sunny Emon, general secretary of the students’ hall branch Sokaline, and president of the students’ hall branch Oishi, have been suspended.

24 students involved in relatively minor crimes have been expelled from the hall for life.

Students complain: ‘Punishment without following the law’

The punished students allege that the university administration punished them without any legal process. They claim that the decision was imposed without giving them a proper investigation and opportunity to defend themselves as per the university’s disciplinary rules.

“This is clearly unfair. Many have been sentenced without evidence. We have not been given a chance to hear any of their views,” said one student.

Another victim commented, “There is an attempt to suppress the movement by punishing us like this. Our future is being darkened.”

Administration statement

However, the university’s registrar, Md. Nur Hossain Chowdhury, claimed that action has been taken against them as per the University’s Student Conduct and Disciplinary Code, 2019.