A case has been filed against the vice chancellor of Patuakhali Science and Technology University and the chairman of University Grants Commission of Bangladesh over recruitment irregularities.

The accused are PSTU VC Professor Swadesh Chandra Samanta, additional registrar (acting) Professor Santosh Kumar Basu, treasurer Professor Muhammad Ali, and the UGC chairman.

Israt Jahan filed the case at the Patuakhali Senior Assistant Judge’s Court on February 27.

Humaun Kabir Badsha, lawyer for the plaintiff, confirmed the matter. ‘My client filed a case at the court on February 27, and the court issued summon notices to the accused.’

Regarding the matter, PSTU registrar (acting) Santosh Kumar Basu, stated, ‘I cannot comment on whether the case has been filed or not as no official documents have been received yet.’

‘I heard that a case has been filed, but no documents have been received yet. If a case is filed, we will officially respond,’ said PSTU VC Swadesh Chandra Samanta.

According to the case details, recruitment notices were issued for the ‘section officer’ position on October 31, 2018, and for other positions on November 16, 2022, by the Registrar’s Office of the university. Israt Jahan, the plaintiff, applied for the ‘section officer’ position from Dhaka.

Consequently, on November 2, 2023, she appeared for an interview. Although the selection board committee chairman was supposed to be the VC but Treasurer Muhammad Ali became the chairman. Later, the committee recommended the appointment of six individuals for the ‘section officer’ position.

The case details further mentioned that there are rumors of widespread irregularities and money transactions regarding the appointments in various posts including section officers. Due to this, the plaintiff Israt Jahan claimed she was deprived of appointment despite being a suitable candidate.

The case also appealed to cancel the appointments and requested issuing re-notification for recruitment.