Fakrul Islam Liton, vice president of the DU unit of JCD, severely beat Mirza Shamim Ahsan Habib, sports reporter of Bangladesh Today and a resident of Jasimuddin Hall, as he lit a cigarette before him at around noon, sources said.

Habib, also a master's student of library and information science department, was first admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later shifted to a private clinic as his condition deteriorated, they added.

The hall authority is bearing medical expenses of the injured journalist, but could not take action against Liton, as it did not receive any complaint against him, said Prof Mahbubur Rahman, the hall provost, yesterday.

"We would take stern action against the JCD leader once specific complaint is filed against him," he added.

Azizul Bari Helal, general secretary of JCD, DU, said they would also take action against Liton, if found guilty.