A group of individuals has gathered at Shahbagh Police Station demanding the release of a Dhaka University (DU) staff member, arrested for allegedly harassing a female student on campus.
A protest erupted at Shahbagh Police Station on the night of March 6, with a group of people calling for the release of Mustafa Asif, an assistant binder at Dhaka University’s Central Library, who was arrested earlier that evening. Asif was taken into custody by Shahbagh Police after being accused of harassing a female student while she was walking on the road.
The incident took place when the student was passing through Shahbagh and was allegedly stopped by Asif. According to her Facebook post, Asif aggressively criticized her clothing and made inappropriate comments about her attire. She claimed that he told her she wasn’t dressed properly and was not following proper modesty. When the student asked him which department or hall he belonged to, he allegedly responded by claiming he was not part of the campus.
After the harassment, the student reported the incident to the university’s proctor office, which led to a case being filed at Shahbagh Police Station. Following the complaint, the staff member was detained.
In response to his arrest, several individuals have gathered outside the police station, demanding Asif’s release. Shahbagh Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge, Mohammad Khalid Mansur, confirmed that the protestors had been at the station since the previous night and were still there. He also mentioned that Asif would be presented before the court, and legal procedures were being followed.
Liberty News’ crime correspondent states that the student’s post on social media highlighted the aggressive behavior of the accused, sparking public outrage and further fueling the demand for justice.
LND/BG
