Teacher Deen Islam, who was named by Jagannath University student Fairuz Sadaf Abantika as one of two persons responsible for her death before committing suicide on Friday, has tried to explain his position by releasing a statement, that is reproduced in full below:

“Assalamu Alaikum,

I am Deen Islam

Assistant Professor,

Department of Management Education,

Jagannath University.

Firstly I am a human, secondly I am a teacher, thirdly I am a father of two daughters. I request you to listen carefully to my words and run after the real facts. Please don't put my life in danger and orphan my children.

I deeply saddened by the untimely death of Fairuz Sadaf Abantika, a 13th batch student of Jagannath University Law Department. I pray for the forgiveness of Abantika's departed soul.

I am sharing the true story of our student Abantika and her classmates:

The incident was about one and a half years ago. Abantika's batchmates made a general diary (GD) at Kotwali police station where Abantika was also present. GD mentioned that someone harassed them by opening a fake account on Facebook. The police then assured a higher investigation and said that they will find out who is maintaining the ID within the next 72 hours. Hearing this, Abantika confessed to her friends on her way out of the police station and on her way to the campus that she was running the ID (fake account) herself. Then her friends brought her to the proctor's office and filed a written complaint against Abantika on 08.08.2022.

In view of the complaint, Mustafa Kamal, who was the proctor of that time, assigned me and Assistant Proctor Gautam Kumar Saha (Mathematics Department) Sir to investigate on 11.08.2022.

Later on16.08.2022, in the presence of proctor sir, I and assistant proctor Gautam Kumar Saha called Abantika and her parents to come to the proctor's office. Then Abantika's mother came to the meeting and everyone including Abantika's classmates (who had complained) were present.  Abantika's mother then hears the truth of the incident to her batchmates (who have complained). Then she said that what her daughter has done is wrong, sincerely apologizes to all those who complained about the incident and promises that her daughter will not do such things again in future and said that if she will do the same thing, they will take her responsibility. Her mother requested to forgive for this time and said, “My daughter is a good student but she is mentally ill for few days and is taking medicine.”

Then her batchmates looked at it humanely and forgivingly. In this way the matter is initially settled. After that, Abantika's mother repeatedly requested the complainants to withdraw the GD. But the complainants refused to withdraw the GD, as they felt Abantika might repeat such behavior in future.

Then it was not possible to withdraw the GD immediately. Complainants said that they will observe her for the next 3 months and if Abantika returns to normal then they will withdraw the GD after 3 months. Troubles are primarily resolved here. A few days later Abantika and her mother came to the university and instead of meeting in the proctor's office, they came to my department as in my area I treated them as best I could.  As she is from my area and she is a guardian I treated her with maximum from my place.  On that day, Abantika's mother told me that Abantika's dormitory friends are not treating her well and she is mentally broken.

I then advised them to complain in writing to the proctor's office. Then Abantika's mother said that after what has happened, she doesn't want to do it and said she won't keep her daughter in the dormitory, it will make her studies worse and she will be more mentally broken. Then I told her that she can do what she feels best as a parent. I will continue to cooperate in any need. More than 3 months after the complaint was settled, Abantika and her parents came to the proctor's office to withdraw the GD but her batchmates refused. Then Abantika's parents and Abantika again called me and came to meet in my department.

That time I was taking class. Then and after leaving the class I took them to my room and treated them as best I could.  Then they requested me to withdraw GD.  I then tried to explain to them that it was out of my hands. Our job is to investigate and report and that's what we were doing. I suggested them to talk to proctor sir and complainers about GD and settle the matter.

Immediately Abantika's mother said in a disappointing tone, “I have been living with two (Abantika and her father) depression patients for so many years. I am also getting very sick and my daughter is suffering from severe depression.” After that I have not had any contact with Abantika and her family till today.”

Deen Islams comment on Abantika's Facebook status before her death:

“First of all the allegations given against me of cooperating with Amman in various ways, which are completely false and baseless. Because the incident that took place on 16/08/2022 was solved. Then there was no discussion with anyone about the matter.

Abantika and her mother were called only once in the proctor's office. At that time Proctor Mustafa Kamal Sir, Assistant Proctor Gautam Saha Sir and her friends, who complained, were present. The issue of multiple calls and harassment is completely false and baseless. Because the matter was settled that day.

The then-Proctor Mustafa Kamal Sir can say well about the non-trial of sexual harassment and intimidation charges brought against Amman in the Proctor's Office in the Suicide Note. I am not aware of this complaint.

I never said anything about the expulsion of Abantika in the suicide note later. Because after the matter was settled, I have not talked or communicated with Abantika or her family even once in the last one and a half years.

“Something I have to say-

As a teacher, it is my moral responsibility to stand by the students and work for them.  In the long 11 years of teaching life, I have been with the students with my best. Insh'Allah, I will continue to be in the future.

It is requested not to think wrongly by depending only on the status.

I am fully prepared to provide full cooperation to the University administration and other law enforcement agencies to unravel the true mystery of this unexpected incident.

It is requested to make decisions and comments after knowing the right information.

Thank you everyone.”