Dhaka, October 22, 2025 (Songbad365.com):

A Dhaka court has ordered the detention of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) student Sreeshant Roy in a case filed under the Cyber Security Ordinance 2025, following allegations of posting obscene and religiously offensive remarks on social media.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Ehsanul Islam passed the order after the investigating officer, Sub-Inspector Md Shahjahan Siraj of Chawkbazar Police Station, produced the accused before the court and sought his custody.

During the hearing, defence lawyer Advocate Saiful Islam appealed for bail, arguing that all the charges were bailable and based on assumptions. However, state prosecutor Shamsuddoha Sumon opposed the plea, stating that the remarks had hurt the sentiments of practising Muslims and caused serious unrest on the BUET campus.

After hearing both sides, the court rejected immediate bail and ordered that Sreeshant Roy be sent to jail. The bail hearing was scheduled for Thursday.

Background of the Case

According to the case statement, between June 8 and September 7, Sreeshant allegedly operated a pseudonymous Reddit account (“u/WeeklyService923”) through which he posted obscene and derogatory comments about Muslim women and Islam. Screenshots of those posts recently went viral, sparking outrage among BUET students.

In response, hundreds of students gathered on campus late Tuesday night, demanding his expulsion and legal action. The protests continued throughout the night, leading university authorities to call an emergency meeting chaired by Professor AKM Masud, Director of Student Welfare (DSW).

The meeting, attended by Sreeshant’s father Malik Ahsan Uddin Sami, university officials, and student representatives, decided to temporarily suspend his studentship pending investigation and to cooperate with law enforcement.

Police Investigation

Police confirmed that an HP laptop, iPad, and Symphony button phone were seized from Sreeshant’s possession, where evidence supporting the allegations was found. The case was filed by BUET Security Officer Md Afghan Hossain at Chawkbazar Police Station under the Cyber Security Ordinance 2025.

Law enforcement officials said tension had been rising on the BUET campus since the viral posts surfaced, prompting immediate legal and administrative measures to prevent further unrest.

Campus Reaction

The incident triggered intense student protests at BUET, with many demanding stronger action against online harassment and religiously offensive content. Demonstrators locked the Directorate of Student Welfare (DSW) office and later assembled near the Central Shaheed Minar, calling for “zero tolerance” against hate speech.

One protesting student told Songbad365.com that “students expect accountability both online and offline; BUET must ensure that such behavior faces consequences.”

Legal and Social Implications

The case has reignited public debate over Bangladesh’s Cyber Security Ordinance 2025, which replaced the controversial Digital Security Act (DSA). While the ordinance aims to address online obscenity, hate speech, and cybercrime, critics argue it still poses risks to freedom of expression.

Legal analysts say this case could set an important precedent for how online speech, anonymity, and religious sensitivity are interpreted under the new law.

Mezbah Uddin