Halt recruitment, take steps against former RU VC: HC

The High Court yesterday stayed the recruitment of 138 teachers and staffers of Rajshahi University (RU) for three months, as they were allegedly appointed by then Vice-Chancellor Prof M Abdus Sobhan in violation of relevant law and rules.

The teachers and staffers were appointed on May 5, during Prof Sobhan's last day in office.

In response to a writ petition, the court also ordered the Anti-Corruption Commission to take appropriate legal action against Abdus Sobhan for his corruption in the recruitment and submit a compliance report to it by November 14.

At the same time, the HC issued a rule asking the respondents to explain why their inaction to take steps against Prof Sobhan for misappropriation of public fund by abusing his position should not be declared illegal.

The secretary to Secondary and Higher Education Division under the education ministry; chairperson of University Grants Commission; chairperson of ACC; VC and registrar of RU, and Prof Sobhan have been made respondents to the rule.

Moreover, the HC stayed the operation of the Teachers' Recruitment Policy, 2017, under which the appointments were made.

The HC bench of Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Md Kamrul Hossain Mollah came up with the order and rule following a writ petition filed by the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), challenging the legality of the recruitments and the inaction of the government and ACC in taking steps against Sobhan.

Convener of CAB Architect Mubassher Hossain submitted the writ petition to the HC as a public interest litigation on August 31, seeking necessary directives on the issue.

Lawyer Jyotirmoy Barua moved the petition before the HC bench, saying that the appointment of the 138 teachers and staffers violated the provision of Rajshahi University Act, 1973.

Earlier on May 23, a probe committee formed by the government submitted an inquiry report to the Secondary and Higher Education Division, reportedly saying that Prof Sobhan has violated the constitution, university law, and a government embargo by appointing the teachers and staffers on the last day of his office.

Due to this, Prof Sobhan was involved in a "punishable offense", said probe committee members and education ministry officials.