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Probe reports on sexual harassment submitted to JU VC

Staff Correspondent |
Update: 2010-05-18 18:37:47
Probe reports on sexual harassment submitted to JU VC

DHAKA: Probe reports on two incidents of sex scandals in Jahangirnagar University were submitted to the JU Vice-chancellor on Thursday evening, after reinvestigating the complaints on High Court orders.

Prof Dr Khurshida Begum, chief of the JU anti-repression cell, who also headed the probe body, submitted the reports to VC Prof Sharif Enamul.

Earlier, the seven-member committee led by Khurshida was formed to investigate the “sexual harassment” allegations against two departmental heads of the University.

Prof Khurshida told banglanews24.com.bd, “We have perfectly completed our duty we were assigned to.”

Meanwhile, VC Sharif said the committee reports would be placed in the syndicate meeting soon. He assured that punitive action would be taken against the teachers if they were convicted.

On 3 May 2008, an allegation of sexual harassment was brought against head of Dramatics department Sanwar Hossain alias Ahmed Sunny by four female students of the department.

Later on 15 April 2009, a female teacher of International Relations department also submitted a written complaint of sexual harassment against the department chairman, Abdullahel Kafi.

A committee was formed to investigate the first incident following a student movement. However, the JU syndicate ruled out Sunny’s involvement in the harassment upon the committee’s report on 13 September 2008.

Later, human rights organisations Ain-O Shalish Kendra, Nijera Kori, and Karmojibi Nari, educationist professor Serajul Islam Chowdhury and journalist Kamal Lohani filed a writ petition with the High Court challenging Sunny`s acquittal.

The High Court ordered the university authorities to reinvestigate the allegations against Sunny, declaring his acquittal and suspension of the six students illegal.

Meanwhile, the cell also submitted report to the VC against the chairman of the Department of International Relations.

BDST: 1320 HRS, 9 JULY 2010-07-09

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