Pabna, Oct 16 (V7N) – Pabna University of Science and Technology (PUST) has suspended seven students from academic activities for one to two years and fined two others over a ragging incident involving junior Pharmacy Department students on July 21.

One student has been suspended for two years, while six others have been suspended for one year. Two students were also fined Tk 10,000 and Tk 5,000, respectively.

The decisions were taken at the university’s 77th Regent Board meeting on October 9, based on the findings of a three-member investigation committee and recommendations from the university’s disciplinary board.

Dr Kamruzzaman Khan, the university’s proctor and member-secretary of the investigation committee, confirmed the decisions.

According to sources, junior Pharmacy Department student Mushfiqul Rahman Tuhin, from the 2025–26 academic session, fell ill during the alleged ragging on July 21. He was initially taken to Pabna General Hospital and later transferred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.

The seven students suspended are Md Nazmus Sakib of the Pharmacy Department’s 2024–25 session, who received a two-year suspension; Zahid Hossain Sarkar of the 2023–24 session; Miskat Jahan Mushfiq, Yunus Hossain Hiraat, Saidur Rahman Sifat and Sanowar Hossain Tanim of the 2024–25 session, all from the Pharmacy Department; and Istiaq Ahmed Ifti of the Physics Department’s 2024–25 session. The latter six received one-year suspensions.

Pharmacy Department students Tamanna Tajmim Tanni and Sohanur Rahman Sifat were fined Tk 10,000 and Tk 5,000, respectively.

The Regent Board also decided that the sanctioned students must submit written undertakings to the university authorities, signed by themselves and their parents, within seven working days.

The university’s Registrar, Bijan Kumar Brahma, said he had seen reports about the decision on social media but had not yet received any official documents regarding the matter.

Professor Dr Abul Hasnat Mohammad Shamim could not be reached for comment. He sent a text message saying he was in a meeting.

According to the allegations, several senior students called junior students to a mess near the Bangla Clinic area on July 21 and subjected them to ragging. Tuhin reportedly became ill under mental pressure and was taken to Pabna General Hospital around 8pm. After receiving initial treatment, he was transferred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital at around 11pm.

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