DU prof arrested amid male students’ allegations of sexual harassment

Dhaka University's (DU) Chemistry Department professor Dr Ershad Halim has been detained by police following allegations of sexual harassment made by several male students.
He was picked up on Thursday (13 November) around 11:00 pm from his residence in the capital's Shewrapara area by Mirpur Model Police Station officers.
DU Proctor Associate Professor Saifuddin Ahmad said, "Dr Ershad Halim has been taken to the police station for questioning. Since he does not reside on the university campus, police did not need prior permission from the university administration for this arrest. However, we are aware of the matter."
Earlier in the day, students from various batches of the Chemistry Department posted allegations against the professor on social media and staged protests demanding action. Around 10:00 pm, they held a press conference at the office of the Dhaka University Journalists' Association on behalf of the victims of Dr. Ershad Halim's alleged misconduct. Two victims' statements were presented keeping their identities confidential.
According to the allegations, the professor used to call male students into his room on different pretexts, turn off the lights, lock the doors and windows, and then demand inappropriate physical contact. Students claimed he forcibly touched sensitive parts of their bodies and engaged in other unwanted behaviour.