The University of Dhaka (DU) on Sunday served the resident student of Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall a show-cause notice who earlier alleged that the hall provost had physically and mentally harassed him.

Mohammad Ibrahim, a student of the 2020–21 academic session in the Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering, last week alleged that he had been confined for around one and a half hours and physically and mentally “tortured” by Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall Provost Professor Dr Ilias Al Mamun.

He alleged that he was summoned to the provost’s office after sharing a Facebook post by a non-resident student criticising the provost.

The allegation sparked protests by students, who demanded access to CCTV footage of the incident. Students alleged that the provost repeatedly delayed showing them the footage. They later locked the provost’s room and demanded his resignation.

The university’s show-cause notice, signed by DU Proctor Professor Israfil Prang, said no individual has the authority to lock, obstruct or seal any administrative building, office or room of the university without the approval or instructions of the university administration.

“The said action committed by you is considered contrary to the prevailing rules and regulations of the university and a serious administrative offence,” the notice said.

It warned that failure to provide a satisfactory explanation within the stipulated time would result in further administrative action in accordance with university rules and regulations.

Two other hall student union leaders, Hall Students’ Union Vice-President Khandaker Md Abu Nayeem and Social Welfare Secretary Tarikul Islam, also received separate show-cause notices over the incident.

Responding to the administration’s move, Ibrahim said, “I went to seek justice for the abuse, but instead I am now facing disciplinary action myself. Despite the CCTV footage clearly showing the provost’s wrongdoing, he has been retained while we have been served show-cause notices.”

“We did not lock the entire hall office; we only locked the room of the provost who abused me. But now it seems that instead of taking action against this abusive provost, the university administration may expel me after two days,” he added.