Campus sources said, due to poor design of the building, the under-construction beam collapsed in October and three labourers were injured. The university authorities, however, suspended the construction works without forming any investigation committee.

The university authorities are yet to ensure punishment of the accused construction farm owner, the sources added. A Dhaka based construction farm 'Engineers and Consultants Bangladesh Ltd' prepared the design of the building in 1991. Based on the design, a part of the building was constructed in that period.

In July 2005, the university authorities again started the extension works of the building involving Tk 1.25 crore. A vigilance committee of the university identified that the design is faulty and recommended rectifying the design. The university authorities again formed a seven-member investigation committee headed by Additional Chief Engineer Sirajum Munir.

Aminul Islam, a committee member and an engineer of Rajshahi public works department, said the beams and columns were unable to bear the load of the concrete roof of the building. Six more columns are needed to cover the roof by corrugated tin, he said.

RU Chief Engineer Abdur Rahim said construction work started while the previous engineer was in charge, so the latter is responsible for the faulty design.

Vice Chancellor Prof Altaf Hossain said engineering section did not scrutinise the design and the accident took place. Punitive measures will be taken against the construction farm, he added.