Graft Allegation Against JU VC

Leaked phone chats stir controversy

Leaked phone chats stir controversy

Two new leaked phone conversations between Bangladesh Chhatra League leaders and a teacher have fuelled the rumour about the reported involvement of Jahangirnagar University vice-chancellor with corruption.

The conversations went viral in social media and Youtube on Tuesday amid allegations that the vice-chancellor had given secret commission to the Chhatra League leaders of the university branch from Tk 1,445 crore which was allocated for construction works at the university by the government.

A leaked phone recording between outgoing BCL general secretary Golam Rabbani and BCL JU unit joint secretary Saddam Hossain has created new controversies.

In the six-minute audio conversation, Saddam told Rabbani that he along with JU unit president Jewel Rana and secretary Abu Sufian Chanchal and vice-president Naimul Hasan Taj was present in a meeting at the VC’s house where they negotiated with the family of the VC about receiving Tk 1 crore as secret commission or bribe.

Later the vice-chancellor sent the money to them in their halls, he told the then central leader.

When Rabbani asked Saddam about the amount of money, Saddam said that they got Tk 1 crore, but Rabbani mentioned that he had heard that the JU unit had got Tk 1.6 crore.

On the other hand, also Naimul Hasan Taj admitted to New Age that he was in the secret meeting with the vice-chancellor’s family where the decision on giving them secret commission was made.

‘Our group received Tk 25 lakh as an Eid gift from the VC and general secretary Abu Sufian Chanchal got Tk 25 lakh while president Jewel Rana received Tk 50 lakh from the VC.’

Hamza Rahman Antar, another vice-president of JU unit BCL, said that he was offered a big amount before Eid, but he refused to take that.

Another leaked phone conversation between Hamza Rahman Antar and proctor Firozul Hasan, also a teacher of government and politics department, created bitter controversy among the campus community.

In the conversation, Firozul Hasan asked Hamza Rahman Antar to learn who had leaked the conversation. Antar tried to assure the proctor that he was not involved in leaking the conversation, but admitted that what he had told Rabbani was true.

Terming the first phone conversation ‘a new conspiracy against the university by the outgoing BCL secretary’, VC Farzana Islam said as Rabbani lost his post, he made up a new story and circulated that through the phone recording.

University authorities also circulated a statement on Monday and claimed that the co called leaked conversation was a vile endeavour of former BCL leader Rabbani to tarnish the image of the vice-chancellor and the university.

About the phone call Saddam said to New Age, ‘As a central leader, we always followed his (Rabbani) command. We did what he asked for. We talked several times during that time, but I cannot exactly remember on what context I had given him the information.’

Niamul Hasan Taj said, ‘If you don’t believe me, just ask the government to check the phone conversations between me and the vice-chancellor’s son Protik from August 7 to 9.’

However, Rabbani could not be reached over phone for his comment despite repeated attempts.

Ruling Awami league president and prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday removed Chhatra League president Rezwanul Haque Chowdhury and general secretary Golam Rabbani from the top posts before completion of their tenure.

The leaders faced various allegations after Jahangirnagar University vice-chancellor Farzana Islam made a verbal complaint to the prime minister that the two leaders demanded ‘four to six per cent commission’ from Tk 1,445-crore allocation.

Meanwhile, leaders and activists of Muktijuddha Mancha held a rally and burnt an effigy of JU vice-chancellor Farzana Islam demanding her resignation over the corruption allegation in front of Raju Memorial on Dhaka University campus on Tuesday evening.

Muktijuddha Mancha convener AKM Jamal Uddin and its DU unit president Aminul Islam Bulbul and general secretary Al Manum addressed the rally which also demanded removal of Gopalganj Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University vice-chancellor Khondoker Md Nasiruddin for expulsion of a student unlawfully.