RU Correspondent:

A professor of statistics at Rajshahi University (RU) has been permanently dismissed after allegations of sexual harassment and academic misconduct against him were found to be proven, according to university authorities.

The decision to dismiss Professor Provash Kumar Karmokar was taken at the university’s 548th syndicate meeting on Thursday evening.

Acting Registrar Professor Iftikharul Alam Masud confirmed the matter today.

“Multiple investigation committees were formed based on the allegations against him [Provash]. As the allegations were found to be proven, he was permanently dismissed at the last syndicate meeting following the recommendations of the committees,” he said.

He said two separate investigation committees had been formed over allegations that the professor sexually harassed a student and was involved in academic misconduct.

“After the allegations were found to be proven, he was asked to nominate a representative to defend himself. But he tried to delay the process by seeking access to the investigation reports,” the acting registrar said.

“Such reports are not shown without a court order as they may contain confidential information about several people. He was given an opportunity to nominate a representative, but he did not do so. Therefore, the decision was taken against him following due procedure,” he added.

Professor Provash, however, denied the allegations.

“I do not know anything about such a decision yet. I have not received any formal letter from the university. The allegations against me are completely false and fabricated. A conspiracy has been orchestrated against me,” he told.

He said the student concerned had not initially filed any complaint herself, while another person lodged a complaint much later.

“None of the investigation committees gave me the opportunity to exercise my legal rights. I repeatedly wrote to the concerned authorities seeking an opportunity to nominate a representative to defend myself, but they did not give me that opportunity. I was subjected to a one-sided trial. I am completely innocent,” he said.

According to university sources, allegations surfaced against Prof Provash on August 4 last year that he had called a female student from his department to his office and physically and mentally harassed her.

The student had gone to his chamber to ask about attendance marks and preparation for an examination. There, the professor allegedly showed her examination questions, saying they were suggestions for the exam, and asked her to write down the answers.

At that point, he touched the student inappropriately and made an indecent proposal, according to the complaint.

The student’s mother submitted a written complaint to the department’s chairman on August 13 last year.

A fact-finding committee comprising teachers of the department was formed to investigate the allegations. After the committee submitted its report, the university administration conducted a further investigation.

Later, amid protests by students, Prof Provash was temporarily relieved of his academic and administrative duties on September 9 last year. The university subsequently proceeded with the action against him.