JnU student accused of hurting religious sentiments goes missing

A Jagannath University (JnU) student -- who was recently suspended for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Islam and Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) on Facebook -- has gone missing.

Tithi Sarker, a third-year student of the university’s zoology department, has been missing since Sunday morning after she went out to visit the Pallabi police station and then a Durga Puja mandap in the capital, claimed her family members.

The victim’s sister filed a general diary (GD) with Pallabi police station over the incident on Tuesday.

Speaking to Dhaka Tribune, Pallabi police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Kazi Wazed Ali said: “We are searching for the girl but are yet to locate her.”

Earlier on October 23, some screenshots of Tithi’s Facebook account making derogatory comments about Islam and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) went viral.

The OC said: “Tithi, on the same day had filed a GD with us claiming that her Facebook account was hacked and it was the hacker who had posted those derogatory remarks about Islam and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in various Facebook pages and groups.”

Tithi’s family members said that she used to live in a bachelor quarter (mess) near the university but was now staying at her sister’s place in Uttar Kalshi of Pallabi area since the Covid-19 outbreak.

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Tithi went out on Sunday morning to visit the Pallbi police station, as per their instructions, and then she was supposed to visit a Durga Puja mandap in the city, said the family members adding that she had been missing ever since.

Even Tithi’s phone was found to be switched off since Sunday, they said.

Meanwhile, police officials said that they have informed the Police Headquarters and other police stations of the country to find Tithi.

Earlier on Monday, authorities of Jagannath University issued a suspension order against Tithi for reportedly hurting religious sentiments.

It also served her a show-cause notice seeking an explanation of why her studentship should not be permanently cancelled.

The university also formed a probe body to investigate the matter.