RAJSHAHI, Bangladesh — The Rajshahi University (RU) administration has formed a five-member fact-finding committee to investigate allegations that 42 faculty members were involved in a secret campaign to facilitate the return of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh.
The development was confirmed by the university’s Acting Registrar, Professor Dr. Iftikharul Alam Masud.
According to an executive order issued by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Faridul Islam on Wednesday night, the committee will be chaired by Syndicate Member Professor Dr. Rezaul Karim-2.
The other members are Professor Md. Golam Sadiq of the Department of Pharmacy, Professor Mohammad Amirul Islam of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Professor Md. Anisur Rahman of the Department of Zoology, and Professor Md. Gias Uddin Ahmed of the Department of Agronomy and Agricultural Extension, who will serve as the member secretary.
Acting Registrar Professor Dr. Iftikharul Alam Masud said the committee had been formed following allegations that the listed faculty members were involved in efforts to bring Sheikh Hasina back to the country. He said the committee had been instructed to submit its findings as quickly as possible, after which the university authorities would decide on further action.
He added that the decision followed the publication of an online news report titled “Secret Campaign by 404 Teachers from 22 Universities to Bring Back Sheikh Hasina,” which named 42 Rajshahi University faculty members. According to Masud, some of the names in the report were incomplete or mentioned only by nicknames. The committee’s first task will be to verify the identities of the individuals concerned before any show-cause notices are issued or disciplinary measures are considered.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Faridul Islam said the university administration had taken note of the report but emphasized that many of the names published were partial or informal. He said the fact-finding committee was established to accurately identify the individuals referred to in the report, adding that the university would determine its next course of action after reviewing the committee’s findings.
