KU student hostel washroom video: Canteen worker, wife sent to jail
Students have locked the administrative building of Khulna University in protest against video recording in a female students' dormitory washroom. Photo: Agamir Somoy
Imam Hasan, a canteen worker at Khulna University's (KU) Bijoy-24 Hall, has confessed recording videos of female students inside a hostel washroom. After his confessional statement was recorded, the court sent him and his wife to jail. This was confirmed by Md. Helal Uddin, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Harintana Police Station in the city.
In response to the incident, university students are boycotting classes and exams and holding protests. They are demanding proper justice in the case and have accused the university administration of negligence regarding sexual harassment and such offences.
On Wednesday night, students detained Imam, the son of canteen owner Asaduzzaman, and handed him over to the police. Female students of the hall reported that around 10:30 PM on Wednesday, several students noticed a mobile phone inside the vent of a washroom. Upon investigation, they found that the phone belonged to Imam. After detaining and questioning him and checking the phone, the students confirmed the matter.
The students claim that the phone contained private washroom videos of multiple female students. Imam had been secretly recording videos for a long time through gaps in the washroom vents and sharing them in various Telegram groups.
Angered by the incident, students held a human chain on campus around 2:00 PM today. Along with boycotting classes and exams, they padlocked the administrative building, the main gate of KU, and various pocket gates.
One protesting student said, "Our demand is that until the two teachers previously accused of sexual harassment and the accused canteen worker are properly tried, we will continue boycotting classes and exams, even if the university gates are opened."
Professor Dr. Selina Ahmed, Provost of Bijoy-24 Hall, said, "After learning about the incident at night, we sealed the mobile phone and handed over the person who recorded the videos, along with the evidence, to the police. Additionally, the canteen allocation has been canceled, and mobile phone use by hall employees inside has been prohibited. An investigation committee has been formed and instructed to submit a report within three days."
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Dr. Rezaul Karim, said, "The person involved in this incident will not be spared. If the allegations are proven in the investigation, the highest administrative action will be taken in accordance with existing laws and university regulations. At the same time, all necessary measures will be taken to ensure the safety of students."
