RU inquiry committee yet to submit report after 16 months

A 16-member fact-finding committee was formed at Rajshahi University (RU) to investigate allegations of corruption and irregularities in infrastructure construction, maintenance and development projects since 2009, irregularities in recruitment and promotions, and torture and harassment during the July 2024 uprising. However, even after 16 months of the committee's formation, the investigation report has not been submitted. This has raised questions among teachers and students regarding the committee's activities and the publication of its report.

According to available information, the committee was formed at the 538th meeting of the Syndicate on April 15 last year, with the then Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Mohammad Main Uddin as its head. The committee was tasked with collecting information and investigating various long-standing irregularities, corruption, irregularities in recruitment and promotions, and torture and harassment related to the July uprising, and submitting a report. However, even after more than a year, the report has not been submitted to the administration.

The fact-finding committee sought complaints or information from victims and informed persons in two phases on seven issues. Five sub-committees were formed to work on the complaints received. The sub-committee on anti-revolutionary positions related to 2024 was assigned 12 complaints, the sub-committee on academic irregularities (recruitment, teacher corruption and other irregularities) was assigned 32 complaints, the sub-committee on hall-related irregularities and corruption was assigned 4 complaints, the sub-committee on sexual harassment, torture and harassment was assigned 12 complaints, and the sub-committee on financial irregularities (infrastructure and development) was assigned 9 complaints for investigation.

Meanwhile, allegations have surfaced that different calculations are being made regarding the committee's activities ahead of the upcoming Dean elections. It is alleged that the fact-finding committee is not taking effective action against accused Awami League-affiliated teachers, considering the need to secure their votes in the elections.

A teacher of the university, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that when the committee was formed, it seemed there would be an impartial investigation into the long-standing allegations. But the fact that the report has not been submitted even after 16 months is highly unusual. It is urgent to publish the report of the committee tasked with investigating allegations of corruption and irregularities over a long period since 2009, as well as torture, harassment and sexual harassment during an important period like the July uprising.

He further said that most of the teachers appointed during the long fascist rule are Awami League ideologues. As a result, there is dominance of Awami League-affiliated teachers in universities. It seems the inquiry committee is not working just to secure the votes of these teachers in the upcoming Dean elections. Committee members are quietly preparing the ground for the elections.

However, sub-committee conveners and members have dismissed such allegations, saying they are not accurate. They said the committees' activities have stalled due to the change in administration. If the current administration wishes, it can restart the activities and submit the investigation report quickly.

Convener of the sub-committee on sexual harassment, torture and harassment, Professor Belal Hossain, did not respond when contacted. Another member of the same sub-committee and former student adviser Professor Dr Amirul Islam said, "My name was in the committee as student adviser. Many complaints were submitted, and we had reviewed them. We tried to resolve them by speaking to both sides. I do not know what happened after that. I have no update on the committee's status."

Regarding the allegations of the committees stalling to secure votes in the Dean elections, he said, "I cannot say anything about those allegations. We had examination committee work, academic work, and results to publish. Various complexities also take time. Additionally, if there was a previous legal case, the legal cell was also involved. All these caused delays."

Convener of the sub-committee on financial irregularities (infrastructure and development), Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamunur Rashid, hung up when called, saying he was going to a meeting. Another member of the same sub-committee, Professor Jamirul Islam of the Social Work Department, said, "A few meetings were called, but no further activities took place. No report was submitted. Generally, activities progress when the convener of the committee calls meetings."

Regarding the allegations of stalling committee activities for the Dean elections, he said, "There are various calculations, but I cannot say anything about it. However, I don't think such allegations are true."

Convener of the sub-committee on academic irregularities (recruitment, teacher corruption and other irregularities), Professor Dr Mohammad Belal Hossain, said, "That committee has been changed. When the new administration came, that activity was suspended. A new committee has been formed in the last Syndicate meeting. I have been kept in that committee. But I cannot say whether the sub-committee has been formed."

Convener of the sub-committee on anti-revolutionary positions related to 2024, Professor Aminul Islam of the Agronomy and Agricultural Extension Department, said, "We collected some information. After that, no further initiative was taken from the administration. As a result, the report remains incomplete. The matter essentially depends on the administration's initiative. What the current Vice-Chancellor does about this is now the important issue."

He further said, "Several committees have worked and collected various information. Quite alarming pictures had emerged in these reports. If the administration takes initiative now, it will be possible to compile a full report based on the collected information."

Convener of the sub-committee on hall-related irregularities and corruption, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Professor Dr Khandakar Md Mozaffar Hossain, said, "That is currently suspended. We probably need one or two more meetings. We will finalise it after consulting with the administration. We have not yet been able to discuss with the new administration whether we will proceed on that matter. If they tell us to set meetings and proceed after discussing with the new administration, we will move forward accordingly."

Repeated calls to the convener of the fact-finding committee, former Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammad Main Uddin, went unanswered.

RU Central Students' Union (RUCSU) Vice-President Mostakur Rahman Zahid said, "During the fascist era, every activity of the university had irregularities and corruption. Additionally, it is urgent that the incidents of torture and harassment during the July uprising are brought to light through the inquiry committee. We are becoming frustrated with the activities of the fact-finding committee. A report from an inquiry committee pending for 16 months is not acceptable at all. Any stalling or political calculations in the name of investigation will question the transparency and accountability of the university."

He further said, "If the allegations are true, action must be taken against those responsible; if they are not true, that also needs to be clarified through investigation. In the interest of the university's students and teachers, the committee's activities, progress and final report should be made public. The administration and committee members should arrange for the report to be published as soon as possible."

When asked about the allegations of the committees stalling for the Dean elections, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr Abdul Alim said, "Those who took 16 months must answer for that. I was not there. I cannot answer why they took 16 months."

On the overall matter, Vice-Chancellor Professor Faridul Islam said, "We are reconstituting the committees. In some committees, the two former pro-vice-chancellors of the previous administration were in charge. They are no longer here. That is why the committees needed to be reconstituted. We are making changes. After the committees are reconstituted, they will start working again and we hope the report will be published as usual."