FROM PAGE 5

Initially, the university authorities temporarily suspended the accused students on August 30. It later issued the expulsion order under Section 14 and 15 of the university’s ordinance and discipline code. The order took effect from Thursday.

According to the expulsion orders issued by HSTU Registrar Prof Dr Md Saiful Islam, and carried out under the directive of the Vice-Chancellor, both Sohag and Roni have been expelled from the academic session for one year and permanently expelled from the dormitory. They will not be permitted on the campus until the expiration of their expulsion order.

HSTU Proctor Mamunur Rashid said that the complaints from the two victim female students were sent to the Sexual Oppression Protection Committee, a body established to address issues of sexual harassment on campus. After a thorough examination of all evidence, witness testimonies, and statements from both victims and accused students, the committee approved the authorities’ decision to take action against the accused students.

This decision came after a series of recent expulsions of four other students for different terms in connection with similar acts of misconduct, as the university remains committed to creating a safe and harassment-free environment for all its students, he added.

Both accused students, however, denied the allegations against them.