Despite being proven guilty of sexual harassment, the Dhaka University authorities have not taken any action against one of its teachers even after eight years.
Accused Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman Bahalul of the Department of History and Culture of Islam is still acting as a resident teacher of Surja Sen Hall.
In 2012, a victim student filed a written complaint against Bahalul for sexually harassing her, reports Bangla Tribune.
Following the allegations, he was immediately suspended from the department on October 8 of that year for three months and from June 1, 2013 for one year, respectively.
On February 28, 2013, a five-member committee was formed with Professor Dr Md Muhammad Ibrahim as the convener, who is currently on retirement leave.
The committee found evidence that Bahalul sexually harassed several students. Based on the investigation report, the department recommended the university authorities for the highest punishment of the perpetrator.
However, the university authorities have not taken any action against the teacher in eight long years.
Concerned parties say no action has been taken against him for his connection with influential teachers, loyal to the ruling party.
It has been found he is trying hard to enter the department lately. However, Vice-Chancellor Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman said: "I have enquired with the investigation branch and found that no such recommendation was given."
Being a resident teacher of Surja Sen Hall, he is still availing various facilities from the university without working.
According to department sources, the student based on whose complaint the probe committee was formed is now denying filing of any complaint at all.
It is assumed that Bahalul has intimidated and threatened the girl through different influential people on various occasions which led to her denying the complaint.
When asked about the overall situation, convener of the investigation committee, Professor Muhammad Ibrahim told Bangla Tribune: “We got the girl’s written complaint along with a few other students’. The committee talked to the girl many times.”
He added: “We had conducted the investigation from a neutral perspective. The investigation report was submitted to the department who then asked the university authorities to give the highest punishment to the perpetrator.
“But for some unknown reasons no action has been taken against him.”
When asked about the incident, AAMS Arefin Siddique, who was the then vice-chancellor, said: “This happened a long time ago, and I can’t remember it now. If the department recommended punishment, the documents should still be there. The university even preserves 50-year old documents.”
In this regard, the current Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor ASM Maqsud Kamal, told Bangla Tribune: "I am a new vice-chancellor here. I don't know anything about the incident."
