Dhaka University administration stuck at probe committees and show-cause notices
When complaints are raised at Dhaka University against teachers, officials, staff or students at different times, the administration's response remains limited to forming investigation committees, issuing show-cause notices, or temporary suspensions.
Even after the deadlines have passed, there is no visible progress in publishing the final reports of most investigations, settling the complaints, or taking effective punitive action. This has raised questions about fair adjudication of complaints and the accountability of the university administration.
Among the matters stuck in investigation for a long time are the probe into teachers' roles over allegations of acting against students and the university during the July mass uprising, incidents of student torture in various halls, and the unlawful involvement of outsiders. Questions have also been raised about the administration's steps over allegations of financial and administrative corruption against officials and people in administrative positions.
The syndicate has formed a four-member investigation committee led by the vice-chancellor over allegations that teachers acted against the university and students during the July uprising. A list of 231 teachers submitted by the 'Fascism-opposing teachers' platform has been brought under this investigation. At the same time, 128 students have been temporarily expelled over allegations of involvement in attacks on students during the movement. A decision has also been taken to take necessary action if the 'controversial' activities and involvement of the pro-Awami League teachers' organisation 'Nil Dal' are proven.
On the other hand, the university administration has taken a policy decision to review all appointments of teachers, officials and staff completed over the long 15 years from 1 January 2009 to 30 June 2024. But these matters have remained confined to review and investigation for a long time.
On 16 August, a five-member investigation committee led by Proctor Professor Israfil Ratan was formed over the incident of student torture at Fazlul Haque Hall and the confinement of two pro-vice-chancellors, the proctor and the provost in the provost's office. The committee was directed to submit its report within seven days, but even after the deadline passed, it has not been made public.
Meanwhile, show-cause notices were served on three people, including the hall union vice-president, over allegations of locking and sealing the provost's room — among them was the student who had lodged the complaint. But without taking any visible step, the accused provost has been kept in his post. Although DUCSU gave the administration a 48-hour ultimatum with a five-point demand including the removal of the provost, the administration has taken no clear decision on removing him.
On 27 July, allegations were raised against two outsider youths over involvement in homosexuality in the room of Ibrahim Khalil Sikder, assistant general secretary of the Dr Muhammad Shahidullah Hall union and a Chhatra Shibir leader. The five-member investigation committee formed by the administration collected the hall's CCTV footage, but no information has yet come forward about publishing the investigation report or taking punitive action against the accused.
On the other hand, allegations were raised against the son of the dean of the Faculty of Science over sexually harassing a female student of Udayan Higher Secondary School, affiliated with Dhaka University, with AI-generated images and videos. The administration has been accused of failing to play an effective role in a fair investigation of the incident. On 3 November, general students protested against the administration, alleging biased behaviour.
Allegations of various irregularities and abuse of power have been raised against Farzana Basar, acting director of the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) of Dhaka University. The allegations against her include inaugurating a 'Female Zone' without the administration's approval, trying to remove a BNP-leaning teacher from the post of TSC adviser, giving a guest-house facility to an accused in the Tofazzal murder case, long absence from office, financial irregularities in purchases, using staff for personal work and beating them, and offering money to journalists to suppress news.
The university administration has served her a show-cause notice over the inauguration of the 'Female Zone' without approval. Besides, staff member Farida Begum has lodged a written complaint with the vice-chancellor alleging demands for money with the lure of a permanent job and making her do household work, and another staff member, Sheikh Md Jasim, has lodged a written complaint with the registrar alleging obstruction at work.
It is alleged that, as a counter-measure, Farzana Basar had a complaint lodged against staff member Jasim through her cousin and Chhatra Dal leader Mehdi Hasan Munna. In the fact-finding committee formed on the basis of that complaint, Farzana Basar herself was kept as a member. On 5 November, the 11 TSC staff members whose statements this committee recorded are all alleged to be loyalists of Farzana Basar's own circle. The convenor of the fact-finding committee and Proctor, Professor Israfil Prang, is said not to know about the staff members. He said that because Farzana Basar is the wife of a student leader, pressure may come upon her, just as she may also exercise power. Asked about the 11 staff members, Farzana Basar declined to comment.
Meanwhile, an audio recording of a conversation with security guard Md Masum, who gave a statement to the fact-finding committee, has reached the reporter. In it, he is heard saying regretfully that the staff do not have the power or unity to speak the truth against the head of the office.
Even after six months passed since the attack on at least 10 journalists by Chhatra Dal activists inside Shahbagh police station, the Dhaka University administration has not been able to take any punitive action against the offenders. Similarly, although allegations were raised on 4 March 2024 against the university's estate manager Fatema Binte Mustafa over harassing journalists, no visible step has been seen from the administration. On the other hand, after allegations of a 1.2 million taka bribe trade were raised against the university's registrar Munshi Shams Uddin, an investigation committee was formed. The investigation report of that incident in May this year has still not seen the light of day.
On all these matters overall, Professor Dr Al Mojadded Al Fesani, pro-vice-chancellor (administration) of Dhaka University, said the investigation report on the Fazlul Haque Hall incident has already been submitted and the matter may come up at the syndicate meeting on the 10th. On the allegations against TSC director Farzana Basar, he said the issues were identified on the basis of reports published in the media and sent to the vice-chancellor for necessary action. Asked about the progress of the investigation against pro-Awami League teachers and Chhatra League activists who opposed the July mass uprising, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ABM Obaidul Islam said, 'As I have not received the investigation report, I cannot say anything in detail yet. I have called Ayub Ali, head of the investigation branch (deputy registrar). I have given him one more month.' He said there is no information on a final decision against the Chhatra League activists. But the vice-chancellor also said the investigation report on the attack on journalists has been included in the agenda of the next syndicate meeting.
