HC orders legal action against Rajshahi schoolteacher

High Court. File photo
High Court. File photo

The High Court on Thursday directed authorities concerned to take legal action against a teacher of Rajshahi University School and College for allegedly harassing a female student sexually.

The bench of justice Sheikh Hassan Arif and justice Md Mahmud Hassan Talukder passed the order after hearing a writ petition.

The court also issued a rule seeking explanation as to why the failure of the authorities concerned to take legal action against the accused teacher should not be declared illegal.

Home secretary, inspector general of police, superintendent of Rajshahi police, vice-chancellor of Rajshahi University, its pro-VC, registrar, administrator of university’s legal cell, principal of Rajshahi University School and College, president of its managing body, officer-in-charge of Motihar police station and accused teacher Md Durul Huda were asked to respond to the rule within four weeks.

Lawyer Md Mizanur Rahman stood for the writ petitioner while deputy attorney general Bipul Bagmar moved for the state.

On 16 February, a report titled 'Victim of sexual harassment unable to attend school, accused teacher out on bail' was published in a newspaper.

Later, Supreme Court lawyer Jobaida Gulshan Ara filed the writ petition after attaching the newspaper report.