13 JU Teachers Penalized; Probe Ordered Against Former VC, Pro-VC and Treasurer

In a major disciplinary move following the July mass uprising, Jahangirnagar University (JU) authorities have penalized 13 teachers and an officer for their alleged involvement in attacks on protesting students. The landmark decisions were finalized during a marathon 13-hour Syndicate meeting held at the university's administrative building, which began at 4:00 PM on Monday and concluded at 4:45 AM today (Tuesday).

JU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan formally confirmed the developments to the media. Out of 19 teachers and two officers facing charges, one teacher was sent on compulsory retirement, nine teachers and one officer faced demotions or salary downgrades, two teachers received warnings, and seven teachers alongside one officer were fully acquitted. Furthermore, the Syndicate approved the formation of three separate structured inquiry committees to investigate the roles of the university's former VC, Pro-VC (Administration), and Treasurer during the uprising.

According to the approved Syndicate minutes, Mehdi Iqbal, an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and Environment, has been placed on compulsory retirement.

A significant group of faculty members had their salaries slashed to the baseline scale of their respective ranks. This group includes Professor Dr. Israfil Ahmed Rangan (Drama and Dramatics), Professor Dr. Alamgir Kabir (Statistics), Associate Professor A S M Firoz-ul-Hasan (Government and Politics), Professor Bashir Ahmed (Government and Politics), Professor Dr. Mohammad Tajuddin Sikder (Public Health and Informatics), Professor Dr. Mohammad Mostafa Feeroz (Zoology), and Lecturer Kanan Kumar Sen (Accounting and Information Systems). Several of these individuals have been barred from holding any administrative posts for the next five years, with a provision allowing them to apply for promotions after two years subject to specific conditions.

In terms of direct rank demotions, Mohibur Rouf Shaibal, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Drama and Dramatics, has been demoted to the rank of Lecturer. Similarly, Deputy Registrar Nahidur Rahman Khan has been demoted to Assistant Registrar. Both can apply for elevation after two years upon fulfilling regulatory conditions.

The Syndicate issued formal warnings to Associate Professor Hosne Ara (History) and Professor Dr. A Mamun (Physics), with Professor Mamun additionally declared disqualified from holding any university administrative positions for the next five years.

Conversely, the university administration completely cleared seven faculty members and an officer of all charges after finding no evidence of complicity. Those acquitted are Assistant Professor Palash Saha (IBA-JU), Professor Dr. Shafi Mohammad Tarek (Environmental Sciences), Professor Dr. Jahirul Islam Khandaker (Physics), Professor Dr. Md. Sayedur Rahman (Public Administration), Associate Professor Monir Uddin Sikder (Public Administration), Professor Dr. Mohammad Jahangir Alam (Economics), Professor Dr. Mohammad Anwar Khasru Parvez (Microbiology), and Assistant Registrar Rajib Chakraborty.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan stated that the final actions were taken following rigorous deliberation on an exhaustive report submitted by a high-level fact-finding investigation committee constituted on March 17, 2025.

"The Syndicate prioritized absolute judicial fairness to ensure that no innocent individual is penalized, while ensuring that no perpetrator escapes accountability. Based on the primary fact-finding report, we had framed formal charges against 19 teachers and two officers. Today's verdicts directly reflect the structured review of those recommendations." — Professor Dr. Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan, Vice-Chancellor, JU

The Vice-Chancellor added that the investigative findings clearly highlighted the controversial roles played by the then-VC, Pro-VC (Administration), and Treasurer during the student protests. Since no formal structure committees had been set up back then to probe top-tier management, the Syndicate unanimously resolved to form three independent structured committees to thoroughly investigate their actions.