Begum Rokeya University's Vice-chancellor Prof Dr Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah has filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking stay on the inquiry being conducted by University Grants Commission (UGC) into the allegations raised against him of irregularities and corruption over recruitment.

Prof Kalimullah submitted the writ petition to the HC on May 23 through his lawyer Md Shahidul challenging the UGC notice that asked him to appear before it (UGC) to place explanations over the allegations against him.

In the petition, he sought an order of stay on the operation of the notice issued by the UGC on May 15.

Kalimullah in the petition also requested the HC to direct the UGC to dispose of the application submitted by Kalimullah on May 12 seeking time for appearing before the commission (UGC) in connection with the issue.

Petitioner's lawyer Shahidul Islam told The Daily Star that the UGC on April 13 issued a notice asking VC Prof Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah to appear before its (UGC) office with relevant documents over the allegations raised against him of irregularities in appointing two staff members to Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur.

On May 12, Dr Kalimullah sent an application to the UGC seeking time for appearing before its office after ongoing lockdown.

He (Kalimullah) said in the application that he is 60 years old and cannot move to the university for the relevant documents due to Covid-19 pandemic.

Without disposing of his May 12 application, the UGC's senior assistant secretary (legal) issued another notice asking Kalimullah to appear before the UGC office with relevant documents on May 20, which is illegal and of no legal effect, lawyer Shahidul said.

The lawyer said the hearing of the writ petition may be held next week.

Deputy Attorney General and UGC lawyer Arobinda Kumar Roy, who received a copy of the writ petition, told this correspondent that Prof Kalimullah has filed the writ petition with the HC in order to dodge the appearance before inquiry committee of UGC over the allegations against him of committing corruption and irregularities.

"I will oppose the writ petition during its hearing," he added.