Ayub Hossain, registrar of the Islamic Arabic University (IAU), appeared before the High Court (HC) during a hearing on contempt of court charges.
He told the court that the directive issued by the HC regarding the salary and benefits for Deputy Registrar Md Abu Hanifa has already been implemented.
Ayub appeared in person before the HC bench led by Justice Fahmida Kader during the hearing on Tuesday, petitioner’s lawyer Mohammad Belayet Hossain told Times of Bangladesh.
Earlier, the HC summoned him for failing to comply with its directive to provide the salary and benefits of Deputy Registrar Md Abu Hanifa.
The IAU vice-chancellor and registrar violated a court order by not paying the salary and benefits of Abu Hanifa. During the tenure of the Awami League government, the then university authorities cancelled his permanent appointment order on 31 December 2023, based on a controversial inquiry report that labeled him as a BNP and Jamaat-Shibir cadre.
When Abu Hanifa challenged the matter, the High Court, on 2 April 2024, declared his termination order illegal. Following the HC ruling, the IAU authorities reinstated him on 7 August 2024 by issuing a joining letter and handing over official responsibilities.
However, despite the HC directive to pay his salary and benefits, the payments were withheld.
Lawyer Belayet said that since the court’s order was not implemented, a contempt petition was filed against the VC and registrar. After hearing the matter, the HC issued a rule on 20 July last year. In an order on 22 January, the HC directed Registrar Ayub to appear in person on 3 February.
