SYLHET (April 25, 2025) – A Sylhet court has issued arrest warrants for 58 individuals, including the former vice-chancellor and acting registrar of Sylhet Medical University, in connection with a major corruption case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
The order was issued by Judge Rokonuzzaman of the Sylhet Metropolitan Senior Special Court after he accepted the chargesheet submitted by the ACC on April 20, court official Kripasindhu Das confirmed Thursday afternoon.
At the center of the case are former Vice-Chancellor Dr. Morshed Ahmed Chowdhury and acting Registrar Md Noimul Haque Chowdhury, who stand accused of unlawful recruitment and promotions from 2019 to 2023, sidestepping required qualifications, age criteria, and approvals from the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the university’s syndicate.
According to the ACC chargesheet:
220 individuals were recruited on an ad hoc basis without proper oversight.
Appointments were extended multiple times, violating the University Act of 2018, which limits such extensions to six months.
46 recruits were ineligible by age.
18 lacked work experience, and several had academic deficiencies, including:
Four with third-division results
Two without the required degrees
Some temporary hires were even illegally promoted to higher salary grades, despite lacking eligibility.
In addition, the university created 141 unapproved posts, exceeding the UGC-approved limit of 112. Salaries for these unauthorized positions were reportedly paid using health ministry development funds, without approval.
The irregularities came to light following a 2023 UGC investigation. Based on its findings, the ACC filed the case on April 1, 2024, at its Sylhet Integrated District Office.
Among those charged are both faculty and administrative staff, including Fahima Khanam Chowdhury, Anjan Debnath, and Maidul Islam Chowdhury. The ACC alleges the actions not only violated legal protocols but also resulted in significant misuse of public funds and abuse of authority.
