RU teacher ‘assaulted’ by colleague over ‘confidential papers’

A faculty member of the Department of Crop Science and Technology of Rajshahi University was allegedly physically assaulted by his colleague over some "hijacked confidential documents".

The incident took place at the academic building of the agriculture faculty yesterday afternoon, according to university sources.

"I was photocopying some papers when Prof Khairul Islam arrived and pushed me. I fell on the floor and hit my head. Doctors have suggested that I do a CT scan," Prof Ali Asgar told our RU correspondent.

An office assistant said he heard a noise and found Prof Asgar lying unconscious on the ground after arriving there.

Brushing off the allegation, Prof Khairul Islam said, "Asgar fainted because I caught him photocopying confidential documents that he had hijacked. I did not touch him. He fell on the floor out of shock. He acted like that for media coverage."

While talking to The Daily Star yesterday, Khairul alleged that Asgar had "hijacked" some confidential information from the department about three newly appointed teachers.

The three teachers in question jointly filed a complaint to the RU registrar against Asgar last night stating similar allegations.  

"I am a member of the university planning committee. I have the right to access such information. There is no question of hijacking," Asgar said when asked about the allegation.

Last year, Prof Asgar filed a writ petition to the High Court claiming that the three appointments were "illegal". The High Court later dismissed the petition and the three faculty members joined the department on January 27.

RU Proctor Prof Lutfor Rahman said, "I have heard about the incident. We will look into the matter."

Acting chairman of the department Prof Abul Kalam Azad said, Prof Asgar was sent to the university medical centre soon after the alleged incident.

Today, a group of teachers and students took out a procession and demonstrated at the Joha Chattar on campus protesting the alleged assault on Prof Asgar.

In November last year, Prof Ali Asgar and Prof Khairul Islam had filed general diaries against each another at Motihar Police Station where they blamed each other for giving threats following old personal conflicts.