Bangladesh News

An ironic situation prevails at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) as graft suspects identified by several probe bodies survive despite efforts even from the government’s top level to rid the institution of corruption.

The officials involved in investigations into corruption at the university are struck dumb with amazement, as no-one knows how and when action will be taken against the graft suspects.

Meanwhile, the latest probe body formed by the university has failed to make any headway in the last few months. Instead, there are allegations of corruption against BSMMU Deputy Registrar Kazi Ebadullah, who has been appointed as its member secretary.

Sources say another committee led by the vice-chancellor to scrutinise graft in appointments also includes persons who have been identified as corrupt suspects.

The faculty members apprehend the committee comprised of controversial figures is likely to protect the accused instead of suggesting action against them.

Committee Chairman AJE Nahar Rahman refused to comment on the issue. He however said, “As soon as we began the investigation, the Anti-Corruption Commission [ACC] took away all documents and papers. We could not carry out our duty till now and it’s not possible to do anything until we get the documents back.”

The BSMMU has so far formed four committees during the tenure of the military-backed caretaker government.

The committee headed by Prof Md Nazrul Islam has been formed to probe the corruption allegations, another headed by former DG (health) Shajahan Bishwas to review the corruption, the third to take steps regarding graft allegations after scrutinising led by AJE Nahar Rahman and another committee headed by VC Prof Md Tahir to take action regarding graft in appointments.

The probes were initiated following direct instructions from the Chief Adviser’s Office, the Army Headquarters and the Ministry of Health. During investigations, it was revealed that financial corruption in purchase and graft in appointment and promotion of teachers and staffs were rampant, sources say.

Even the army-led task force and ACC were actively involved in investigations but they are not concerned with the appointment graft.

Now graft in appointment might be ignored by the probe bodies, say some teachers and officials, apprehending that if the issue is not addressed, the accused may take a hand on the members of the committees formed by BSMMU.

“Those involved in ill practices still remain untouched. They are still serving in their previous administrative position without receiving even a show-cause notice,” said a teacher.

Meanwhile, a senior teacher whose name came up as a corrupt suspect told The Daily Star, “The government didn’t take into confidence the probe report by the university. So it has sent the task force and ACC to look into the matters.”

“The government would not feel the necessity of involving different departments if the university probe report was relied on. I expect the government probe will be impartial and it should be taken into consideration. I don’t know if the government investigators have made any major findings and I hope they’ll not find anything,” he said asking not to be named.

Earlier, groups of university teachers also met the University Grants Commission (UGC) chairman several times with the appeal to look into the matters in vain.

Sources say the government high-ups have recently requested the UGC chair to look into the matters as the ministry concerned cannot interfere into such matters of a university directly. The UGC, however, has yet to initiate any move to this end.

“We met the UGC chairman several times as they have direct involvement with the matters of appointment and promotion and should look into the graft carried out at this level,” said a faculty member preferring anonymity.

“Action must be taken against those found involved in the graft. But I cannot understand why action has not been taken yet against anyone,” said former head of the Department of Virology Prof Nazrul Islam who led the university probe at first.

Contacted over phone, VC Tahir said he is not feeling well and cannot talk about the issue in a short while.

BSMMU Registrar Mohammad Abdul Gafur, however, said, “I don’t know what the investigations of the task force and ACC have unearthed. One of our committees headed by AJE Nahar Rahman is working to find out whether the allegations have merit or not. I cannot comment further on the matter at this moment.”

Sources in ACC say they are still investigating the allegations and it will take some time for the investigation to be completed. Legal action will be taken based on the findings, they add.

A number of government investigators say around 15 cases are likely to be filed in connection with the corruption.

“The VC is dead. But it is not like that he had carried out all the graft alone. There are persons who had helped him and they must be brought to book immediately,” a professor said.

The corrupt suspects might be convicted for monetary corruption but it would not come to any help for the university if the unqualified persons appointed so far are not removed, observe many teachers and officials.

“If action cannot be taken against the persons now, what will be the fate of the institution when a political government comes to power?” asked a university teacher.