Dhaka, 8 February 2026: Police recovered the body of a Jagannath University (JNU) student from a hostel in Old Dhaka’s Kalabagan area on Sunday evening. The incident occurred around 9:30 pm near the WASA water pump, leaving the university and local community in shock.
The deceased has been identified as Rakiba Sultana, a student of the 20th batch in the Department of Islamic History and Culture at Jagannath University. Rakiba hailed from Debhata Upazila in Satkhira District.
According to a fellow hostel resident, Rakiba’s room door had remained closed throughout the day. Around 9 pm, a friend of Rakiba arrived at the hostel. When repeated knocks on the door went unanswered for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, the hostel management was contacted. A male resident eventually broke the door open with a hammer, only to find Rakiba hanging inside the room.
Rakiba’s elder brother, Naem Hossain, revealed that he had spoken with her the previous night. Rakiba had mentioned feeling unwell and intended to speak later, but she did not communicate with any family member thereafter. When repeated attempts by her mother to reach her failed, Rakiba’s friends visited the hostel. Finding the door locked from the inside, they sought help to forcibly enter, which led to the discovery of her body.
Local police and authorities responded promptly.
Kawtoli Police Station Officer-in-Charge Nazmul Haque stated:
“We arrived at the scene after receiving information. At this stage, we cannot confirm the cause as suicide. The post-mortem report may reveal further details. We do not wish to speculate publicly at this moment.”
Meanwhile, Assistant Proctor Ferdous Hasan confirmed that Rakiba’s body had been taken to Midford Hospital. He added that a detailed report would follow once official procedures were completed.
The tragic incident has sparked grief among Rakiba’s peers and raised concerns over student welfare and mental health in university hostels. Authorities have urged students to remain vigilant and report any distress among peers to prevent similar tragedies.
Key Details of the Incident
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Rakiba Sultana |
| Age | Not specified |
| University | Jagannath University |
| Department | Islamic History and Culture, 20th Batch |
| Hometown | Debhata Upazila, Satkhira District |
| Date & Time Found | 8 February 2026, 9:30 pm |
| Location | Kalabagan Hostel, Old Dhaka (near WASA water pump) |
| Mode of Discovery | Room door forced open by hostel resident |
| Authorities Involved | Kawtoli Police Station, Midford Hospital, JNU Assistant Proctor |
The incident remains under investigation, and the university authorities have appealed for privacy for Rakiba’s family during this difficult time.