In a harrowing incident at Jahangirnagar University (JU), allegations have emerged against two individuals – including a Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leader – of raping a woman after holding her husband captive in a residential hall. The incident, which took place on Saturday (February 03, 2024) night around 9:30 pm near the Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall’s adjacent forest, has led to the suspension of the accused from the university unit of BCL. The accused have been identified as Mostafizur Rahman, a 45th batch student of the Department of International Relations at Jahangirnagar University, and Mamun, a 45-year-old outsider. Mostafizur, a resident student of Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall and the International Affairs Secretary of the university’s Chhatra League unit, is known to be a follower of the unit president Akhtaruzzaman Sohel. Both Mostafizur and Mamun have been on the run since the incident. Inspector Abdur Rasik of Savar Model Police Station reported that the victim personally informed the police of the ordeal. “We are heading to the scene for preliminary investigation. Further actions will depend on the investigation’s outcome,” he stated. Following the incident’s exposure, over 50 students staged a protest in front of Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall, demanding answers from the administration with slogans such as “Why are there rapists on campus?” and “We want a rape-free campus.” The victim, a resident of Ashulia, revealed that the accused Mamun used to rent a room in their house and had prior acquaintance with Mostafizur. Mamun occasionally stayed with Mostafizur in Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall. Mamun had invited her husband to visit the university under the pretext of purchasing furniture. On the evening of the incident, the victim’s husband informed Mamun about their plan to buy furniture. Mamun then instructed the husband to call his wife to the university, suggesting she bring some clothes for Mamun as he would be staying on campus for a few days. Read more: Rape case in Uttara: Main suspect, associate arrested Subsequently, Mostafizur and Mamun confined the victim’s husband in room 317 of the ‘A’ block of Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall. When the woman arrived with the clothes, Mamun took them and later deceived her into going to the forested area near the hall under the pretense of meeting her husband from another gate, where she alleges both men raped her. Despite multiple attempts to contact Mostafizur, he remained unresponsive. His phone was later found to be turned off. Professor Sabbir Alam, provost of Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall, stated, “I have heard about the incident. Actions will be taken based on the investigation.” Efforts are underway to identify the accused through CCTV footage. Akhtaruzzaman Sohel, president of the university unit of Chhatra League, announced that Mostafizur had been temporarily expelled from the organization, with recommendations for permanent expulsion to be sent to the central committee. ASM Firoz-ul-Hasan, the university’s proctor, affirmed, “Regardless of who is involved, we will ensure punishment through both law and university regulations.” Read more: Youth’s body cut into nine pieces recovered; ex-BCL leader, 4 others arrested