JSTU Punishes 51 Officials and Students, Expels 21 Including BCL Leaders for July Uprising Abuses

The administration of Jamalpur Science and Technology University (JSTU) has taken disciplinary action against a total of 51 officials, staff, and students accused of carrying out attacks, torture, and intimidation on social media during the July mass uprising. Among them, 21—including the banned Chhatra League convener, Swadhin—have been expelled and had their certificates withheld.

On Monday night, August 25, the university’s registrar, Md. Nur Hossain Chowdhury, confirmed the matter to the media.

Earlier, based on complaints lodged by students, a 13-member public inquiry commission was formed. Following its report, the university syndicate in its 16th meeting on July 29 took this decision.

Among the convicted, six officials and employees—including an assistant registrar—have been temporarily suspended. Out of the 45 students penalized, 21 found guilty of serious offenses have been expelled from the university, while 24 others involved in comparatively lesser offenses have been expelled from student dormitories for life.

Of the 45 penalized students, nine are female and 36 are male. According to Registrar Md. Nur Hossain Chowdhury, action was taken under the university’s Code of Student Conduct and Discipline 2019.

Sources said the six suspended officials include Assistant Registrar Anisuzzaman, Engineer Shahiduzzaman, Section Officer Russell Mahmud, Motabbir Hossain, Employees’ Association President Mirza Halim, and the Vice Chancellor’s personal assistant Sohag Sarkar.

Of the students, those guilty of major offenses include JSTU Chhatra League Convener Kawser Ahmed Swadhin and Joint Convener-1 Palash, both of whom have been expelled for five years.

In addition, Joint Convener Yasir Arafat Saurav, Mokarram Hossain, Mosharraf Hossain, Abhiman Sarkar, Sebok Das, Masud Rana, Itisar Sani Imon, Student Hall General Secretary Sokalai, and Female Hall President Oishi—who have already graduated—had their certificates withheld.

Likewise, Chhatra League leader Priya Sarkar, accused of harassing and intimidating female students, Student Hall Organizing Secretary Robiul Islam Imon, and Fisheries student Shahrin Saba—known as a close associate of Convener Swadhin—along with four others, have been expelled for one year.

The punishments for those involved in serious offenses include expulsion, certificate suspension, lifetime expulsion from halls, cancellation of seats, reprimands, and submission of undertakings.

Meanwhile, the 24 students guilty of lesser offenses have been expelled from halls for life, had their seats canceled, reprimanded, and required to submit undertakings.

Of the 45 penalized students, nine are female and 36 are male.