3 Varendra University students suspended over RU student rape

Three students of Varendra University have temporarily been suspended due to allegations they were involved in the rape and blackmail of a Rajshahi University student.

The authority suspended them on Thursday, based on the report of its investigating committee, according to a Varendra University press release.

The suspended students are seventh-semester student of the Political Science Department Tareq Mahmud Joy, second-semester students of the Law and Human Rights Department Bayejid Ahmed Plabon and Ikhtiar Rahman Rafsan.

The press release, signed by the university registrar Dr Md Mohiuddin, read, "The three Varendra University students are the associates of Mahfuzur Rahman Sharod – the individual accused of raping the Rajshahi University student. The case against them is at trial. To verify the facts, the Varendra University authority formed a three-member committee – which confirmed that the three were involved in the incident. That is why they were temporarily suspended."

According to the case statement, on January 24, Sharod took the girl to a private dormitory in the city's Kazla area and raped her while five of his associates filmed the incident.

Later, Sharod demanded Tk 50,000 from her and threatened that he would spread the footage on social media.

On January 27, the girl filed a case against six persons – for raping her, filming the incident and blackmailing her – with Motihar Police Station.

Police have arrested five of the accused.