KUET expels 10 students over assault of fellow

Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) expelled 10 students for their involvement in the mental and physical assault of a fellow student.

Three other students received varying degrees of punishment.

The disciplinary actions were decided during a recent meeting of the university's student disciplinary committee, with Vice Chancellor Mohammad Mashud in the chair.

The expelled students are: Raihan Ahmed, Saad Ahmed,  Sajedul Kabir, Adam Rafi, Saadman Nahian Sejan, Rijuan Islam, Fuaduzzaman Fahim, Md Mehedi Hasan, Md Safat Morshed, and Fakhrul Islam.

Of them, Raihan and Saad studied leather engineering, 2017-18; Sajedul Civil Engineering, 2016-17; Adam  Leather Engineering, 2018-19; Saadman Computer Science and Engineering, 2013-14;

Rijuan Leather Engineering, 2018-19; Fuaduzzaman and Md Mehedi Textile Engineering, 2018-19; Safat, Building Engineering & Construction Management (BECM), 2018-19; and Fakhrul BECM, 2017-18.

The three others who received varying degrees of punishment were Mostaq Ahmed and Shuvendu Das and Faria Jamal. They were students of Leather Engineering.

Sources confirmed that all the students involved were leaders and activists of the banned Chhatra League. 

According to the minutes of the meeting, some students mentally and physically tortured Jahidur Rahman, an electronics and communication engineering student, on Sept 11, 2022.

The university formed an investigation committee on Sept 17, 2024, which submitted its report to the disciplinary committee on January 27 this year.

After reviewing the report and other things involved, the disciplinary committee decided to punish 13 students based on the university rules.

According to sources, Jahidur was assaulted by 10-12 Chhatra League men on allegations of being a Chhatra Shibir activist and making disparaging remarks against Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

A case was also filed against Jahidur under the Digital Security Act.

Following the changeover in August last year, a human chain was formed under the banner of general students of KUET, to push for a five-point demand.

Among the five-point demand was the expulsion of Chhatra League members who had been involved in assaulting Jahidur and others, including teachers.

Jahidur is now the member secretary of the KUET Unit of Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.