High Court rules on suspension of DU Professor Tashreq

The High Court has issued a rule asking the Dhaka University authority to explain why its decision to temporarily suspend Chowdhury Md Tashreq-e-Habib, a professor in the Department of Bengali, should not be declared illegal.

A High Court bench comprising Justice Razik-Al-Jalil and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury issued the rule on Thursday following an initial hearing on a writ petition. The university administration has been directed to respond to the rule within four weeks.

The university authority informed Tashreq-e-Habib through a letter on June 24 that he had been suspended effective from June 22. The letter stated that the Syndicate made the decision taking into account allegations of financial irregularities, his recent activities, and the reluctance of academic committee members to work alongside him.

Professor Tashreq-e-Habib filed the writ petition with the High Court challenging the legality of his suspension. Advocate Nigar Sultana represented the petitioner during the hearing, while Deputy Attorney Generals Md Jashidul Islam Joni and Shihab Uddin Khan represented the state.

Previously, Professor Tashreq came under public attention for singing on social media, after which reports regarding various allegations against him emerged. According to the university administration, the charges against him include financial irregularities, activities outside of academic responsibilities, and tarnishing the image of the university on social media platforms.