The authorities of Jagannath University (JnU) on Thursday suspended Abu Shahed Emon, a lecturer of Film and Television Department, for allegedly sexually harassing a female student.
In an emergency Syndicate meeting, the JnU authorities also decided to relieve Professor Junaid Halim from his chairmanship of the department for not assisting the student after she filed a complaint.
A new chairman has been appointed to replace Junaid Halim, said Vice Chancellor of the university Prof Sadeka Halim.
"We have also decided to make necessary arrangements for that student so that she can sit for supplementary exams," she added.
In December 2021, the student of Film and Television Department filed a complaint stating that she was sexually harassed by Abu Shahed Emon.
Later, she wrote several times to the university vice chancellor, UGC chairman, and even the President alleging that after filing the complaint, she faced retaliation from the department head and others. They also threatened her with expulsion from the university and even death, she alleged.
On Monday, the JnU student lodged a complaint with the DB, stating that she has been subjected to threats of death and expulsion from the university since coming forward with the accusations.
The students of the institution have been protesting for the past few days after a student committed suicide after being sexually harassed. Later another student raised allegations of sexual harassment against some teachers. Law department student of Jagannath University Fairuz Sadaf Abontika's body was found hanging in her Cumilla home on Friday night.
Before Abontika's death, there was a post on her Facebook accusing Raihan Siddique Amman, one of Abontika's classmates, of sexual harassment and alleging that Assistant Proctor Deen Islam verbally abused her and took Amman's side when she complained.
bikashju@gmail.com