ACC orders re-enquiry

Former Vice-Chancellor of Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET), Md. Rafiqul Islam Sekh, currently serves as a Professor of Electrical Engineering in the Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) department and the former Acting Registrar, Md. Salim Hossain, now holds the position of department chairman in the Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) department have allegedly misused power.

Allegations of power abuse have surfaced against VC Salim Hossain, with accusations that he appointed 15 individuals unlawfully. These findings have come to light following an enquiry conducted by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Allegedly, Rafiqul Islam Sekh has appointed his brother, Md. Mukul Hossain, as a Section Officer, and another brother, Leburul Islam, as a Junior Section Officer. Additionally, his brother-in-law, Sohail Ahmed, was purportedly appointed as a Personal Assistant to the Director. Furthermore, allegations suggest that his cousin, Masuma Khatun, was appointed as a Data Entry Operator, while a domestic worker named Lovely Ara was allegedly hired as an Assistant Cook. It is also alleged that Lovely Ara's husband, Enamul Haque, was appointed as the Vice Chancellor's driver, and the wife's cousin, Mehdi Hasan, was appointed as a caretaker. These appointments are under scrutiny in light of potential irregularities.

According to sources the Enquiry Officer Deputy Director from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), has submitted the report against Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam Sekh and Dr. Md. Aminul Islam to the Commission. The report recommends filing a case against both of them under Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947, along with Section 409/109 of the Penal Code.

However, the commission has opted to submit a re-enquiry report, indicating a decision to further examine the matter before taking any legal action.

During the commission meeting, it was noted that the enquiry officer did not propose filing a case against the individuals appointed illegally or offer any recommendations regarding their appointments. Several questions were raised concerning these appointments, including whether they were made to fill vacant positions in addition to sanctioned posts according to the university's organogram, whether the positions were indeed vacant at the time of appointment, and whether there were any provisions for age enhancement in the appointment rules or notifications.

Furthermore, concerns were expressed regarding whether close relatives of university officials received higher marks in oral exams despite scoring lower in written exams, and whether the appointments were made in accordance with established rules and regulations. The commission has requested that the reinvestigation report provide clear answers and opinions regarding the appointment of the additional 15 officers and employees.

According to sources from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), it has been revealed that, contrary to the recruitment circular, seven individuals were appointed as section officers instead of the designated six between June 2021 and August 2023. Additionally, salary allowances totaling 69 lakh 81 thousand taka were approved for the appointment of junior section officers and an assistant librarian, despite there being no vacant positions available for these roles.

Furthermore, it was found that Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam Sekh appointed his brother, Leburul Islam, to the position of Junior Section Officer from June 2021 to August 2023, with salary allowances amounting to Tk 6 lakh 69 thousand. This appointment was made despite the recruitment notice being published for the appointment of two individuals as Personal Assistants to the Vice-Chancellor/Director. Additionally, Dr. Rafiqul Islam Sekh appointed three candidates for the position of Personal Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor, all of whom were close relatives.

According to ACC sources, between June 2021 and August 2023, a director was appointed with an additional person for government salary and allowances totaling 5 lakh 12 thousand taka. Despite the recruitment circular indicating the appointment of two individuals as data entry operators, one additional person was appointed with a salary of 5 lakh 12 thousand taka during the same period. Similarly, while the circular called for the appointment of three individuals to the finance department, seven were actually appointed, resulting in additional expenditures. Additionally, between June 2023 and August 2023, four individuals were appointed with a combined salary of 19,23,000 taka, despite the recruitment circular stating one position for a driver with a government salary allowance of 11 lakh. Furthermore, despite the circular specifying the appointment of three assistant cooks, five were appointed, leading to financial losses totaling 1 crore 26 lakh 12 thousand taka. These discrepancies highlight significant mismanagement and financial irregularities within the university.