KU sacks professor over sexual harassment, forms fresh probe against another

Khulna University has dismissed an Agrotechnology Discipline professor over allegations of sexual harassment and formed a five-member high-powered investigation committee against a Bangla Discipline professor over a separate complaint.

The decisions were taken at the university’s 237th Syndicate meeting yesterday (30 July), Acting Registrar Professor Dr S M Mahbubur Rahman confirmed.

He said the high-powered committee against Bangla Discipline Professor Dr Md Rubel Ansar was formed after reviewing the report of the university’s Sexual Harassment Prevention Centre.

“The committee is separate from the Sexual Harassment Prevention Centre’s investigation committee. It has been asked to submit its report within 30 working days,” he said.

According to university sources, allegations surfaced on 18 June this year that Agrotechnology Discipline Professor Dr Md Rezaul Islam had sent inappropriate messages and made objectionable proposals to a female student via Messenger. Following the complaint, he was removed as discipline head and placed under investigation. After reviewing the findings, the syndicate decided to dismiss him from his post.

Meanwhile, Bangla Discipline Professor Dr Md Rubel Ansar was accused of sexually harassing two female students in August 2025. He was cleared of one allegation following an investigation, while in the other case the university barred him for two years from teaching, conducting examinations and carrying out all academic and administrative duties.

Following a review of the investigation report, the university has now constituted a separate high-powered investigation committee against him.

Earlier, students announced an indefinite boycott of classes, examinations and administrative activities, demanding justice over the allegations against the two professors and Bijoy-24 Hall canteen worker Imam Hasan, who was accused of secretly recording videos of female students.

After talks with the administration failed to produce the progress they had expected, students locked the university’s academic and administrative buildings. The locks were later removed following another meeting, after the administration expressed solidarity with their demands.

However, the protesting students reiterated that they would not return to classes or examinations until their demands were met.

Their demands include the maximum punishment for the accused canteen worker, accountability for the hall administration over alleged negligence, permanent dismissal of the two professors accused of sexual harassment, and cancellation of the registration of a student organisation linked to the allegations.