Jahangirnagar University Syndicate has finalised disciplinary action against teachers and officials accused of involvement in attacks on students and controversial roles during the July 2024 mass uprising.
At the same time, the Syndicate has decided to reduce and modify the punishment of several students following appeals.
The decisions were taken at a Syndicate meeting held on Monday in the Council Room of the university’s New Administrative Building. Vice-Chancellor Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan briefed journalists on the outcomes after the nearly 12-hour-long meeting.
He said the measures were taken based on the report of an inquiry committee formed to investigate the incidents of 14, 15 and 17 July 2024, along with separate hearings and examination of evidence.
According to the Syndicate’s decision, Professor Hosne Ara of the Department of History has been warned. Professor Israfil Ahmed Rangon of the Department of Drama and Dramatics has had his salary fixed at the lowest scale of his current post, while Assistant Professor Mohibur Rouf Shaibal of the same department has been demoted to the rank of lecturer.
Professor Najmul Hasan Talukder of the Bangla Department has had two annual increments cancelled and has been placed in a lower pay grade. Lecturer Kanan Kumar Sen of the Department of Accounting and Information Systems has also had two increments cancelled.
Former Proctor Professor Alamgir Kabir has been demoted to the initial salary scale and barred from holding administrative responsibilities for five years. Professor A A Mamun of the Physics Department has been issued a warning and also barred from administrative duties for five years.
Associate Professor ASM Feroz-ul-Hasan, Professor Bashir Ahmed of the Department of Government and Politics, and Professor Tajuddin Sikder of the Department of Public Health and Informatics have also been placed on the initial salary scale. They will be eligible to apply for promotion or grade improvement after two years but will remain barred from administrative duties for five years.
Associate Professor Mehedi Iqbal of the Department of Geography and Environment has been sent into compulsory retirement. Former Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Professor Mohammad Mostafa Feroz has been demoted to Grade-2 and banned from administrative duties for five years.
However, several individuals have been cleared after allegations against them were not substantiated. Those exonerated include Assistant Professor Palash Saha (IBA), Professor Shafi Mohammad Tareq (Environmental Science), Professor Jahirul Islam Khondakar (Physics), Professor Mohammad Sayedur Rahman and Associate Professor Monir Uddin Sikder (Public Administration), Professor Mohammad Jahangir Alam (Economics), and Professor Anwar Khasru Parvez (Microbiology).
Among officials, Assistant Registrar Rajib Chakrabarty was cleared of allegations. However, Deputy Registrar Nahidur Rahman Khan has been demoted to Assistant Registrar, with the opportunity to apply for promotion after two years.
Meanwhile, the Syndicate has decided to form three separate structured inquiry committees to investigate the roles of former Vice-Chancellor Professor Md Nurul Alam, former Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Sheikh Md Monzurul Haq, and former Treasurer Professor Rasheda Akhter.
On student disciplinary matters, the Syndicate reviewed appeals filed by students previously punished in connection with the July Movement incidents. Of the eight students expelled for two years, the expulsion period of six students has been reduced.
Decisions to cancel certificates for some students have been withdrawn, and in several cases the duration of punishment has been limited. Five students have been fully exonerated, although some earlier punishments and suspensions have been upheld.
The investigation report said the accused students were linked to the politics of the banned Chhatra League and were allegedly involved in various incidents during the July mass uprising on campus.
The university administration said detailed orders, including names and case-wise decisions, will be published soon through official gazette notifications.
