Two separate bodies have been formed to investigate two separate allegations of sexual harassment along with one of academic misdemeanor against DU Mass Communication and Journalism Professor Dr Naadir Junaid.
To conduct primary investigation on two separate allegations of sexual harassment, a three member fact finding committee was formed asking to submit report within 14 days, while another probe body was formed to investigate another allegation of academic misdemeanor against the same professor.
The committees were formed on Sunday at university’s Syndicate meeting, the highest policy making body, chaired by DU Vice Chancellor Dr ASM Maksud Kamal at university’s Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury senate building, a syndicate member told UNB.
The fact finding committee over sexual harassment consists of DU law faculty dean Professor Shima Zaman as head of the body, Syndicate member Prof Md Masudur Rahman and university Assistant Proctor Sanchita Guha as member.
The other probe body, made to investigate the allegation of academic misdemeanor, consists of DU Pro-VC (Academic) Dr Sitesh Chandra Bachar as head of the body, Syndicate member and chairman of DU Mass Communication and Journalism department Prof. Dr Abul Mansur Ahmed and DU Exam Controller Bahalul Haque Choudhury as member.
On February 10, a female student of DU MCJ department lodged a written complain of sexual harassment with DU Proctor Dr Maksudur Rahman. On the following day, a complain of concealing sexual harassment allegation was lodged against Naadir by another student of the department.
Later, on February 28, a former student of a university, where Nadir appeared as guest teacher, filed another complain of sexual harassment against Naadir Junaid.
Earlier on February 07, postgraduate students of DU MCJ department filed a complaint alleging that Professor Naadir intentionally gave them unusually low grades in a course, acting out of personal vendetta and academic misconduct.
Soon after the complaints were filed, the students broke out in protest boycotting all kind of academic activities demanding the suspension of the accused professor and seeking justice.
However, amid the protest, the university authorities sent Naadir on forced leave on February 12.