CU suspends staff member over Tk 5 lakh job scam allegation

Chattogram University has suspended a staff member accused of embezzling Tk 5 lakh from a former student by promising him a job.

The accused, Mehedi Hasan, was serving as an office assistant at the Department of Pali.

Following the complaint, the university authorities took disciplinary action against him.

The matter was confirmed today by CU's acting registrar Prof Saiful Islam.

In response to the allegation, the university formed a one-member investigation committee headed by Prof Mohammad Sohaib, chairperson of the Department of Development Studies.

The complainant, Muhammad Yahia, is a former student of the psychology department from the 2013–14 academic session.

He filed a written complaint with the university administration.

According to the complaint, Mehedi, a lower-grade government employee at the vice-chancellor's office, assured Yahia of a job as a section officer.

On August 25, 2023, Mehedi allegedly took Tk 4 lakh in cash as the first instalment, followed by another Tk 1 lakh about two weeks later.

Yahia said Mehedi told him an additional Tk 12 lakh would be required upon confirmation of the job. However, he promised to return the money by July 31 if the job did not materialise.

Yahia claimed that Mehedi later returned only Tk 2 lakh and began making excuses to delay repaying the rest.

Despite repeated attempts to contact Mehedi via phone calls and SMS, no response was received.

Regarding the matter, Prof Saiful said, "Based on the complaint, the accused staff member has been suspended. A probe committee has been formed. If the allegations are proven, appropriate action will be taken. For now, he will receive subsistence allowance as per regulations."