Rajshahi University teacher demoted, barred for five years over misconduct

Rajshahi University has taken disciplinary action against Dr Sujan Sen, an associate professor in the Department of Drawing, Painting, Oriental Art and Printmaking, following an investigation into allegations of irregularities, misconduct and abuse of authority.

The university has demoted Sen from associate professor to assistant professor and barred him from all academic and administrative activities for five years.

University Registrar Prof Iftikharul Alam Masud confirmed the decision on Sunday night (August 16), saying the university’s 548th Syndicate meeting on Thursday reviewed the recommendations of an investigation committee and approved the disciplinary measures.

Under the decision, Sen will not receive any salary increment during the five-year disciplinary period. He will be eligible to resume his duties as an assistant professor after five years and may apply for promotion to associate professor four years later, in accordance with university rules.

As a result, Sen will have to wait a total of nine years before becoming eligible to seek restoration of his associate professor rank.

Complaints and investigation

Students of the department had for months raised allegations against Sen, including favouritism toward certain students, irregularities, corruption and arbitrary conduct. On August 25 last year, students declared him unwelcome in the department.

On September 8, they submitted a nearly 200-page written complaint to the vice-chancellor, student adviser and department chairman, along with documents they said supported their allegations.

Following the complaints, the university held an emergency meeting on September 9 and temporarily relieved Sen of all departmental duties. An investigation committee was formed on September 18 to examine the allegations.

The committee later described Sen’s conduct as involving “moral turpitude” in its report. The university subsequently formed another committee to determine further action under Section 55(3) of the Rajshahi University Act, 1973.

The second committee was headed by Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Prof Mohammad Main Uddin and included Syndicate member Prof Md Rezaul Karim-2 and a representative nominated by Sen.

After reviewing the committee’s recommendations, the 548th Syndicate meeting approved the final disciplinary measures, resulting in Sen’s demotion and five-year exclusion from academic and administrative activities.