JnU Registrar Transfers 24 Officers Internally Without VC Approval

In a controversial move, the Registrar of Jagannath University (JnU) has reassigned the duties of 24 officers from the Registrar's office without the approval of the Vice-Chancellor or the Acting Treasurer (also serving as routine Vice-Chancellor). The order, signed by Acting Registrar Professor Dr. Md. Sheikh Giyas Uddin on September 22, has sparked allegations of overreach and arbitrariness.

Sources indicate that Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Rezaul Karim left for leave abroad on September 18, immediately after which the Registrar issued the directive. Multiple senior officials, speaking anonymously, alleged, “The Registrar rushed the transfers right after the Vice-Chancellor's departure. He lacks the authority for such actions. This is complete arbitrariness.”

JnU's legal officer, Advocate Ranjan Kumar Das, clarified, “Neither the University Act nor the statutes grant the Registrar such powers. However, Section 13(6) of the Universities Act 2005 states that the Registrar shall perform duties as prescribed by the statutes or assigned by the Academic Council, Syndicate, or Vice-Chancellor.”

Responding to the complaints, Registrar Dr. Giyas Uddin defended the move, stating, “This is not a transfer but an internal reallocation of duties. No approval from the Vice-Chancellor is required for this.” He acknowledged, however, that there is no explicit mention of this authority in the University Act or statutes.

Acting Treasurer and routine Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Sabina Sharmin said, “I’ve heard about the matter, but I had no concerns regarding it. The Vice-Chancellor is on leave, and I don’t know if he issued any orders.”

Vice-Chancellor Dr. Rezaul Karim commented, “I’m unaware of this issue. It has come to my notice, and discussions are underway. An appropriate resolution will be found, Insha'Allah. I don’t know why the Registrar took this action.”

This incident adds to a series of controversies surrounding the Registrar. Previously, two JnU journalists faced misconduct while discussing student union elections with him. A teacher from the Mass Communication and Journalism Department encountered rude behavior when signing a tripartite agreement for a UGC-funded scholarship, as per UGC conditions. Additionally, when a complainant approached about multiple bicycle thefts from the garage of Shaheed Sajid Academic Building, the Registrar allegedly dismissed the issue and forcibly evicted the person from his room.

These events culminated in students burning an effigy of Registrar Dr. Sheikh Giyas Uddin and demanding his resignation.

The university administration has yet to issue an official statement on the transfers, amid growing concerns over procedural lapses and administrative transparency at JnU.