DUET Expels 14 BCL Leaders Over Student Abuse

Fourteen leaders and activists of the Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) branch of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) have been permanently expelled from the university's residential halls for their involvement in the abuse of students before and after the anti-discrimination movement. The decision was announced through a notice signed by Professor Dr. Utpal Kumar Das, Director of the DUET Student Welfare Office.

Speaking at a DUET Debating Society event last Sunday, Professor Dr. Utpal Kumar Das stated, "The disciplinary actions taken in the first phase will not conclude the judicial process. The investigation and justice for other accused BCL leaders and activists will continue."

Subsequently, on Thursday, December 12, DUET expelled 14 BCL leaders, including branch president Mithun and general secretary Manna. The penalties imposed include a one-year expulsion from the university, a lifetime ban from the residential halls, and marking their offenses on their academic certificates.

Among those penalized are Sabbir Hossain (4th-year student, Electrical and Electronic Engineering), Sajjad Hossain Rifat (4th-year student, Civil Engineering), Siddiqur Rahman (2019-20 batch, Computer Science and Engineering), Mozammel Hossain Shahin (Textile Engineering), Mehedi Hasan Tuhin (4th-year student, Mechanical Engineering), Mushfiqur Alam Shanto (4th-year student, Electrical and Electronic Engineering), Ashraful Islam (2019-20 batch, Textile Engineering), Istiak Ahmed Prince (4th-year student, Computer Science and Engineering), Parvez Mia Mahin (2019-20 batch, Computer Science and Engineering), Tasin Mahmud (4th-year student, Textile Engineering), M.M. Saimun (2019-20 batch, Mechanical Engineering), and former vice-president of BCL DUET branch, Pratap Kumar, a graduate of Industrial Production Engineering.

A show-cause notice was also issued to the accused. The expelled DUET BCL president, Mizanur Rahman Mithun, is a former student of Mechanical Engineering, and secretary Mahmud Hasan Manna is a former student of Civil Engineering. Mahmud Hasan Manna, currently pursuing his master’s, and Mehedi Hasan Tuhin have had their studentship permanently revoked by DUET authorities.

Additionally, certificates of the recently graduated accused have been withheld for one year, while ongoing BSc Engineering students have been suspended for a year as part of the disciplinary measures.