SUST Student Rape Case: Court Grants 4-Day Remand for Two Accused

A Sylhet court has granted a four-day remand for the two accused arrested in connection with the rape of a female student from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST). The order was issued today, Monday, by Judge Harun-or-Rashid of the Sylhet Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court.

The matter was confirmed by SUST’s legal adviser, Md. Taj Uddin. The accused granted remand are Swagato Das (Partho) and Shanto Tara (Adnan), both third-year students from the university’s Department of Sociology.

Md. Taj Uddin told Prothom Alo that the police had applied for a five-day remand for the accused for interrogation purposes in the interest of the investigation. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court granted a four-day remand.

Earlier in the morning, around 9:45 a.m., the accused were presented before the court. During the remand hearing at 11 a.m., over 50 university students gathered on the court premises to protest. At one point, they moved to the courtroom veranda, from where the police eventually dispersed them. Around 12:30 p.m., the accused were taken to prison in a prison van.

The incident has sparked intense outrage and anger among SUST students. They are demanding a swift trial and exemplary punishment for the accused. Security has been tightened both inside the university and in surrounding areas.