Three Arrested Students Remanded over Alleged Drugging and Gang Rape of Gono University Student

A Dhaka court has granted police remand for three students arrested in connection with the alleged abduction, drugging, and gang rape of a female student of Gono University in Savar. The decision was issued on Thursday by Senior Judicial Magistrate Tajul Islam Sohag of the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court.

According to police, the three remanded individuals—identified as Tajul Islam (23), Shraban Saha (23), and Antu Dewan (28)—were detained on Wednesday, a day after the victim filed a detailed complaint accusing four fellow students of sexual assault, blackmail, and coercion. The fourth accused, Delowar Bhuiyan (26), has been sent to jail pending further legal proceedings.

The investigating officer, Inspector Shafiqul Islam of Ashulia Police Station, produced the accused before the court on Thursday, seeking a seven-day remand for each. Defence lawyers opposed the motion, applying instead for bail and requesting the remand be dismissed. After hearing both sides, Magistrate Sohag granted three days’ remand for Tajul Islam and Shraban Saha, and two days’ remand for Antu Dewan. As Delowar Bhuiyan had no immediate remand application against him, he was ordered to be held in custody.

The case statement describes an incident that allegedly took place on 7 April. The victim stated that her classmates—Delowar, Tajul, and Shraban—invited her to what they claimed would be a picnic in Phuler Tek, an area within Ashulia. She alleges that while they were on their way, the men gave her a soft drink laced with a sedative. She reportedly lost consciousness shortly thereafter. When she regained awareness in the afternoon, she found herself inside the men’s rented accommodation in Phuler Tek, where she realised she had been sexually assaulted. The victim further alleges that the three men recorded images and video footage of the assault on their mobile phones. According to the complaint, the accused threatened to circulate the recordings on social media if she reported the crime or told anyone about the incident.

The complaint also recounts a separate encounter alleged to have taken place on 6 November. On that morning, at approximately 8:30 am, while the student was on her way to the university campus, she was intercepted by Delowar, Tajul, and Shraban in the Baishmail area of Ashulia. She claims they told her that a senior student, Antu Dewan, wished to have a physical relationship with her. When she refused, the three allegedly assaulted her and attempted to force her to meet Dewan. During the struggle, she was allegedly forced to consume a narcotic substance. She eventually managed to escape and ran towards campus, where she collapsed. Fellow students and teachers took her to Gonoshasthaya Samajvittik Medical College Hospital, and due to deterioration in her condition, she was later transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

The case has sparked widespread concern among students and the local community, with many calling for a thorough investigation and strict legal action. Police say the investigation is ongoing and further interrogations will take place during the remand period.