Discrimination at Bogura Police Lines School & College — Will the principal get his job back?

Abdus Sattar lost his job as principal of Bogura Police Lines School & College after falling victim to discrimination. He claims his dismissal was unlawful, and even after a court order in his favor, he was not allowed to resume his duties.

Following the change of government through a mass uprising on August 5, 2024, Abdus Sattar had renewed hopes of getting his job back. However, his age—now 60—became an obstacle. Still, according to policy, he applied for a contractual appointment. But that, too, led nowhere. Not only was his application ignored, but even a recent directive from the High Court has gone unheeded by both the institution's governing body president and the Director General of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, according to Sattar.

Sattar was appointed as Principal on December 31, 2009. But on August 19, 2012, he was reportedly suspended without following due procedure. He alleges that political interference from ruling party leaders and their affiliates prevented him from continuing in the role.

On December 18, 2023, Sattar submitted an application to the Director General of Secondary and Higher Education, requesting a contractual appointment as Principal at Bogura Police Lines School & College.

In his application, Sattar stated that after being unlawfully suspended, he was coerced into handing over financial and administrative responsibilities under threat on September 8, 2012, by the then Superintendent of Police—who, by position, also serves as the institution’s president. Later, on December 26, 2012, and again on September 14, 2013, he was issued show-cause notices. Although he responded, he was ultimately dismissed. He claims he was never formally notified of the dismissal, as required by regulation.

On November 28, 2015, Sattar learned from the Rajshahi Education Board that his final dismissal had not been officially approved. He then filed three successive writ petitions in court, and the High Court issued multiple directives for his reinstatement. Yet, he was never allowed to return to his post, allegedly due to continued obstruction from ruling party figures and their allies.

Most recently, on December 18, 2023, the High Court issued a verdict in response to his latest writ. On March 13, 2024, the court ordered the school's governing body and the Director General of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education to review his case within four weeks.

Sattar alleges that despite trying to contact the institution’s president, the Superintendent of Police of Bogura, he received no response or update on whether he would be reappointed or receive any redress.

“I spoke to the institution’s president regarding the court’s ruling, but he didn’t say anything,” said Sattar. “The four-week deadline set by the court has already passed. I’ve filed another writ petition over the matter.”

He further stated, “On April 15, the High Court sent a directive to the Director General of Secondary and Higher Education, asking him to take necessary action regarding my case and to report the decision back to the court.”

Efforts to contact Jeddal Al Musa, the Superintendent of Police of Bogura and president of the school’s governing body, were unsuccessful. Multiple calls and text messages to his phone went unanswered.

It is worth noting that after Abdus Sattar's removal, Shahadat Alam Jhunu, Organizational Secretary of the Bogura District Awami League, was appointed Principal. He was later arrested in a case related to a student movement against discrimination and died in custody.

Sattar alleges that it was Shahadat Alam Jhunu who orchestrated his dismissal in the first place.