The High Court today ordered authorities of Islamic University, Kushtia to immediately suspend five students involved in the torture of student Phulpori Khatun, and also withdraw the provost of the hall where the incident took place.
While issuing the order, the HC bench of Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Razik-Al-Jalil expressed grave concern about the untoward incidents including torture and ragging on innocent students at different educational institutions, particularity universities.
"We have noticed from media that some unruly students are participating in the untoward incidents by using their political identities, which are tarnishing the glorious history of student politics," the HC bench said during hearing on a writ petition regarding the IU incident.
The HC ordered IU authorities to immediately suspend five students --Sanjida Chowdhury Antora, Halima Akhtar Urmi, Ishrat Jahan Mim, Tabassum Islam, and Mawabia Jahan -- from all academic activities of the university.
They must be kept out of the university, except for meetings on disciplinary action against them.
The HC also directed IU authorities to withdraw Provost Prof Shamsul Alam from Deshratna Sheikh Hasina Hall of the IU.
The IU authorities have also been asked to allot a seat for Phulpori Khatun at any room in any hall of her own choice so that she can resume her classes and academic activities, and to provide security to the witnesses of the incident.
The HC asked the IU authorities to take all necessary action in accordance with the inquiry reports submitted by the probe committees formed.
The bench asked the office of this court to send the inquiry reports to the registrar of IU, Kushtia, keeping a set of their photocopy in hand.
The superintendents of police of Kushtia and Pabna have been ordered to ensure safety and security to Phulpori Khatun.
The HC ordered the law enforcers to recover the mobile phone which recorded the incident of torturing and assault on Phulpori and to submit its video footage before this court.
The court asked the vice chancellor of IU, Kushtia to submit a report before it after complying with the directives by May 8.
It fixed May 8 for passing further order on this issue.
The HC bench asked Deputy Attorney General Tushar Kanti Roy to communicate with Phulpori and to instruct her to go back to the university and to resume her academic activities quickly.
It also asked writ petitioner Advocate Gazi Md Mohsin to observe the situation at IU and to move prayer before this court for necessary orders.
