An assistant professor of Rajshahi University is facing a ban from academic activities for six years on charges of sexual harassment.
Bishnu Kumar Adhikary, an assistant professor at the Institute of Education and Research of RU, was recommended to be banned by the university administration after it had found the allegations of sexual harassment made by two female students to be true.
In June 2019, the two students lodged written complaints against Bishnu Kumar Adhikary for sexual harassment.
Then on July 2, he was given a temporary suspension from academic activities, and the university authorities formed a probe committee to investigate the incident.
The recommendation to ban the assistant professor was made at the 504th syndicate meeting of the university on Saturday after the committee found the complaints to be true.
Confirming the matter, Prof Abdul Alim, a member of the syndicate, said Bishnu Kumar would be given the opportunity to defend himself.
“If he is banned, he will not be able to take any classes or examinations during the six-year period. He will also be banned from all kinds of facilities that the university provides, from remuneration and allowances to promotions,” Prof Abdul Alim mentioned.
Meanwhile, RU Registrar Abdus Salam said: “No disciplinary action has been taken yet. He will now be given a show cause notice … The next course of action will be decided based on his response.
“He will be given two weeks. The syndicate will then take disciplinary action against him accordingly.”
