CU suspends Maidul Islam

Chittagong University (CU) authorities yesterday suspended Maidul Islam, an assistant professor of sociology department, a day after he was sent to jail in a case filed under section 57 of ICT Act.

The suspension order came in a letter issued and signed by Registrar (acting) KM Nur Ahmed. 

Maidul was suspended following section 15a of Chittagong University Employees (efficiency and discipline) Statutes 1973, the registrar said.

He will continue to get livelihood allowances during the suspension term, the Registrar also said, adding, the suspension will remain until further order.

A Chattogram court sent Maidul to jail on Monday denying his bail petition, after he surrendered before the court on completion of his eight weeks bail granted by the High Court.

The case was filed against him on July 24 with Hathazari Police Station over defaming Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on social media, by former BCL leader Md Iftekhar Uddin Ayaz.

CU BCL leaders also submitted a memorandum to the vice-chancellor against Maidul and another teacher of the university, Khandakar Ali Ar Raji, with the allegations.

A three-member probe committee was formed by authorities to investigate the allegations made against the teachers.

Maidul claims that he never made derogatory remarks against the prime minister.