Jagannath University student Fairooz Abantika died by hanging on the night of March 15 last year after posting a suicide note on her Facebook account. A year has passed since her tragic death, yet the investigation report has not been made public. Before her death, Abantika accused a fellow student and an assistant proctor of being responsible for her death. She was found hanging from a ceiling fan at her home in Cumilla, and despite being rushed to a local hospital, doctors declared her dead.
Following the incident, the university administration formed a five-member investigation committee within 24 hours on March 16 and instructed them to submit a report within seven days. However, even after a year, the university has not released the report. The accused teacher, Din Islam, and student, Raihan Siddique Amman, were immediately suspended, but their status remains unchanged. The police, too, have not submitted their report, and a charge sheet is yet to be filed, despite Avantika's mother lodging a case.
The university's investigation committee was led by then-President of the Teachers' Association, Zakir Hossain, with Social Sciences Faculty Dean Abul Hossain, Law Faculty Dean Masum Billah, Music Department Chairperson Jhumur Ahmed, and legal officer Ranjan Kumar as its members. The committee submitted its findings to the administration on June 13 last year. While the report was discussed in a syndicate meeting, no decision was made, and the university has kept it confidential.
Although the accused teacher and student were arrested soon after the incident, the charge sheet has not been filed even after a year. The police report, as well as the forensic and autopsy reports, remain undisclosed. Sources claim that investigators have not yet found any substantial evidence against the accused, which has contributed to the delay. Frequent changes in the case's investigating officers have also slowed down the process.
Mizanur Rahman, the current investigating officer, stated that it is difficult to determine when the report will be submitted. He mentioned that the report must be reviewed by senior officials before being presented in court, but assured that it would be submitted soon.
The uncertainty surrounding the case has severely affected both the accused student's academic life and the teacher's employment. Following protests by students, the university administration suspended Din Islam and Raihan Siddique Amman within six hours of Abantika's death. They were later arrested by the police. Din Islam spent nearly four months in jail, while Amman was imprisoned for about eight months. Both are now out on bail, but neither has been allowed to return to classes or work.
Amman has expressed concerns about his future, saying that due to the allegations against him, he faces difficulties in applying for government jobs. His indefinite suspension from the university has also prevented him from completing his master's degree, putting his entire academic career in jeopardy. He urged the university to release the investigation report as soon as possible. If the report finds him guilty, he said he would accept the consequences, but if it proves his innocence, he should be allowed to continue his education.
Din Islam has also spoken out, accusing the university of treating him unfairly for political reasons. He claimed that the investigation report was presented in the 99th syndicate meeting on January 2 this year, yet no clear decision has been made regarding his involvement. Instead, the university informed him that he would only be allowed to return to work after the court case is resolved. He questioned why an investigation committee was even formed if the university intended to wait for the court's decision. He further alleged that the administration is deliberately harassing him, adding that former proctor Mostafa Kamal ignored Abantika's complaints and should be held accountable.
Abantika's mother, Tahmina, has also voiced her frustration and demanded justice. She believes the university is deliberately hiding the investigation report to protect certain individuals. She claimed that when she approached the administration for answers, Registrar Gias Uddin treated her with disrespect. She questioned what authority he had to behave in such a manner. Despite repeated assurances from the administration that appropriate action is being taken, no visible progress has been made in a year. She expressed her distress over the fact that those who pushed her daughter toward suicide are now moving on with their lives, completing their master's degrees, and leaving the university without any consequences.
Vice-Chancellor Rezaul Karim stated that the university has recommended actions against those involved in the case and that steps are being taken accordingly. When asked about the delay in publishing the investigation report, he said that legal complications need to be considered before making any decision. He added that if the report is released now and someone files a lawsuit against the university, they could face serious legal challenges. He also mentioned that the administration is already dealing with two legal issues related to the case.
