HC stays DU senate meeting

The High Court today stayed the process for holding a special general meeting of Dhaka University senate which was scheduled to be held on July 29 for electing a three-member panel for appointing its new vice chancellor.

In response to a writ petition, it also ordered the authorities concerned of the government and DU to take steps for constituting a full-fledged senate under Section 20(1) of Dhaka University Order 1973, Deputy Attorney General Amatul Karim Swapna told The Daily Star.

At the same time, the HC issued a rule asking the authorities to explain why the move to hold senate special general meeting without forming the full-fledged body should not be declared illegal.

Dhaka University vice chancellor, two pro-vice chancellors (academic and administration), registrar and secretary to the education ministry have been made respondents to the order and rule, she said, adding that the full-fledged senate has to be formed through nomination and election.

DAG Amatul said there around 50 posts of senate members in the 105-members senate of the university are now vacant. 

The HC bench of Justice Tariq ul Hakim and Justice Md Faruque came up with the order and rule after hearing a writ petition filed challenging the legality of the notice issued by the DU registrar convening the special general meeting of senate on July 29.

Sixteen teachers and registered graduates of DU have filed the writ petition with the HC saying that there is no full-fledged senate at this moment, said writ petitioners’ counsel Barrister Mustafizur Rahman Khan.     

The tenure of VC Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique will end on August 24.

As per the Dhaka University Order 1973, the VC shall be appointed by the chancellor for a period of four years from a panel of three teachers. He shall be nominated by the university senate, and be eligible for a re-appointment for a second term.

Barrister Rokanuddin Mahmud appeared for the petitioners, while AFM Mesbahuddin argued for DU.