DU student accuses classmate of sexual assault

A post graduate student of Dhaka University (DU) has brought an allegation of sexual abuse against her classmate. 

Accused Kabir Ahammed Kowshik, a student of the Communication Disorders department and a residential student of Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall, acknowledged the allegation against him when contacted. 

The victim, also a student of the Communication Disorders department, on Wednesday filed a complaint with the proctor of DU Dr AKM Golam Rabbani.

Copies of the letter have also been submitted to Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic) Dr ASM Maksud Kamal, Social Science faculty Dean Dr Sadeka Halim and the department Chairperson Tawhida Jahan Shanta. 

According to the complaint, Kowshik asked the victim to come to the department for studies to be done together. She arrived at the department and was waiting for Kowshik when he suddenly came and forcibly hugged her.

“I was unprepared and angry at the suddenness of the incident but he tried to normalize the situation and started discussing studies,” the complaint reads.

Feeling uncomfortable, the victim tried to leave the scene but the accused barred her. She somehow managed to escape, but the accused again physically harassed her on the Social Science faculty building staircase.

The victim told Dhaka Tribune: “I suddenly realized that he was trying to rape me. Later, he pushed me and I fell down the stairs. I somehow managed to escape and entered the university’s central library.”

“I described the incident to my seniors, who took me home,” she added.

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“After the incident Kowshik came to my house, told the gatekeeper that he was my sibling and started knocking on my door. He was continuously following me,” the survivor added. 

Asked about the incident, Kabir Ahammed Kowshik said: “I made a mistake and, overtaken by emotion, I touched her. I apologized to her afterwards.”

“I will explain my state at the proctor’s office tomorrow,” he added.   

Dhaka University proctor Dr AKM Golam Rabbani said: “We received a complaint on Wednesday. We will take necessary steps accordingly”

Tawhida Jahan Shanta, chairperson of the Communication Disorders department told this newspaper that her department got a complaint from the victim in this regard via the student adviser of the department. 

"My department will cooperate with the proctor's office fully if we can help in any way as the steps will be taken by university authorities centrally. We will cover our department premises including the seminar library with CCTV cameras to ensure students' safety," she said.