Jahangirnagar University (JU) authorities have taken off duty Sanwar Siraj, an assistant professor of government and politics department, after allegations of sexual harassment surfaced against him.
JU Vice-Chancellor Prof Farzana Islam made the decision yesterday afternoon, confirmed the university’s Registrar (acting) Rahima Kaneez.
Rahima said: “The Anti-Sexual Harassment Cell of the university has taken the allegations against him [Sanwar] into cognizance and started its investigation. It held its first meeting today [Sunday].
“The VC decided to take Sanwar Siraj off from all academic and administrative duties during the investigation after the cell made the recommendation.”
On September 19, a female student of Sanwar’s department had filed a written complaint against the teacher for sexually harassing her.
After she reportedly failed to get justice from the department authorities, the student tried to commit suicide by swallowing a large number of sleeping pills due to the mental trauma she was going through, according to her family.
She was immediately admitted to a hospital in Savar and released on Thursday.
JU students on Saturday demonstrated on the campus demanding Sanwar’s exemplary punishment.
They claimed that Sanwar was also involved in many such scandals.