BUET Boils: Student Suspended Amid Sexual Assault Scandal
The campus of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) was in turmoil early on October 22, as students staged protests demanding the arrest of a third-year Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) student accused of sexual harassment and rape. The demonstrations began around 11:00 p.m. in front of the Directorate of Students’ Welfare (DSW), where students gathered to press for the accused’s immediate arrest and permanent expulsion.
The accused, identified as Srisanto Roy, a resident of Ahsanullah Hall and a third-year student of EEE’s 21st batch, has since been temporarily expelled. The university administration has also decided to file a case against him. The decision was announced through an official statement from BUET’s Directorate of Students’ Welfare at around 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday (October 21 night).
According to allegations, Srisanto allegedly raped a Muslim female student while under the influence of drugs and later boasted about the incident on the social media platform Reddit. He also reportedly made derogatory remarks about women who wear burqas and hijabs. Screenshots of these posts soon went viral, triggering outrage across the BUET campus.
By midnight, students took to the DSW office premises near the central playground, demanding the accused’s permanent expulsion and immediate arrest under rape charges. Chanting slogans such as “No shelter for rapists in BUET,” “Direct action against sexual offenders,” and “We demand justice,” protesters made their stance clear.
Professor A.K.M. Masud, Director of Students’ Welfare, addressed the demonstrators, saying, “Following the students’ demand, the university authorities have issued an expulsion order. EEE 21st batch student Srisanto Roy has been temporarily suspended.”
However, students immediately rejected the announcement, shouting “No, no!” and insisting on his permanent expulsion. Responding to their demands, Professor Masud explained, “I do not have the authority to permanently cancel a student’s enrollment. I have conveyed this decision on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor. Meanwhile, the university has initiated legal proceedings against him. A case will be filed shortly, and he will be arrested.”
He added, “Although students were supposed to file the case, we decided that the university itself would do so, considering the sensitivity of the issue.”
Evidence presented by the BUET EEE 21st batch in a written statement linked Srisanto to the allegations:
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The Reddit user identified himself as a “BUET EEE-21 student.”
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He mentioned using Baseus-branded earbuds, which matched those used by the accused.
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The Reddit account referenced a trip to Mustang, Nepal, in June—the same period when Srisanto posted photos from Mustang on his personal social media account (June 3).
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Multiple classmates recognized the writing style, tone, and phrasing of the Reddit posts as consistent with Srisanto’s own communication style.
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During BUET’s collective anti-politics declaration signing, he was reportedly the only student who refused to sign, raising further questions about his moral stance.
Students said, “Based on these consistencies and proofs, we strongly suspect that our batchmate Srisanto Roy is the user of that Reddit account and that he deliberately engaged in indecent, humiliating, and harassing behavior toward women.”
They also urged, “Anyone who has previously been subjected to similar behavior by him, or has any evidence, should come forward—while maintaining confidentiality if needed.”
In response to the student outrage, the DSW issued a written notice late that night declaring Srisanto’s temporary expulsion.
The notice stated, “It is hereby informed to all concerned that the student status of BUET’s EEE 21st batch student, Srisanto Roy (ID: 2106169), has been temporarily suspended.”
