DU students demand ‘exemplary trial’ for teacher accused of sexual assault

Dhaka University students have demanded exemplary punishment for a teacher recently accused of sexually harassing a student.

Students formed a human chain at the Raju Memorial Sculpture at Dhaka University on Saturday, demanding the investigation into chemistry teacher Ershad Halim be completed as soon as possible.

Students from the Department of Chemistry and other departments joined the human chain, holding placards and chanting slogans against homosexuality.

The demonstration came a day after students of the chemistry department submitted a memorandum to the vice chancellor.

DU Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed told bdnews24.com on Friday evening that Halim was immediately suspended from all academic duties and his case has been forwarded to the Sexual Harassment Cell.

“We are ashamed to call Ershad Halim our teacher. He has brought shame to the profession. He has been oppressing students for the past 15 years, taking advantage of students’ weaknesses,” said Swapan Miah, a chemistry department student participating in the human chain. “We want the highest punishment for the culprit.”

Another student of the same department alleged that the teacher had a long history of harassing male students.

A procession followed the human chain.

The teacher is currently in jail after being arrested from his Shewrapara residence on Thursday.

According to the case documents, the student contacted Halim on Sept 26 over an examination-related issue.

Halim allegedly invited the student to his Shewrapara residence, where the student claims he was sexually assaulted.

He “beat and sexually assaulted” the student again on Oct 14.

Halim’s lawyer told the court that his client was targeted due to “departmental politics”.