Legal notice served to JU authorities over alleged cruelty towards cats

A legal notice has been served to the authorities of Jahangirnagar University (JU) following allegations of persistent cruelty, killing, and illegal removal of cats from residential halls.

The notice, sent on January 11 by Barrister Md Towfiqul Islam Khan, a Supreme Court lawyer, on behalf of ALB Animal Shelter, was addressed to Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan, Pro-VC (Administration) Prof Dr Sohel Ahmed, Proctor Dr AKM Rashidul Alam, and the Provost of Jahanara Imam Hall, Prof Dr Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman.

According to the notice, cats in various halls have been subjected to inhumane treatment, including throwing pregnant cats off-campus, mutilating male cats, hurling kittens from multi-storey buildings, and pouring boiling water on the animals.

The actions, it claims, violate Sections 3, 6, and 7 of the Animal Welfare Act, 2019, and demonstrate the university’s failure to uphold its constitutional duty under Article 18A to protect the environment and biodiversity.

The notice specifically condemned a letter issued on December 18, 2025, by the Provost of Jahanara Imam Hall, which described cats as a “nuisance” and a “rabies risk.” The terminology was labelled “illegal and misleading.”

Farzana Shaon, a Marketing department student, told The Daily Star that cruelty against cats has escalated since last year.

“We approached the administration multiple times but received no solution. Instead, some hall union members abused their power and attempted to cover up the incidents,” she said.

She added that students eventually contacted ALB Animal Shelter and provided evidence, prompting the legal action.

The university authorities have been given 72 hours to cease all illegal activities, including relocation, killing, or poisoning of cats.

The notice also demanded an official ban on animal cruelty on campus, legal action against those responsible, and medical treatment for injured cats. Failure to comply will result in a writ petition filed in the High Court in the public interest.

Copies of the notice have also been sent to the University Grants Commission (UGC), the Adviser for Environment and Climate Change, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, and the Director General of the Department of Livestock Services.