Prof Kalimullah arrested in ACC case

Former Vice-Chancellor of Begum Rokeya University, Professor Dr Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, has been arrested by the Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).

He was arrested on Thursday afternoon (August 7) from the Mohammadpur area of the capital.

DMP Deputy Commissioner (Media), Muhammad Talebur Rahman, confirmed the arrest.

He said Kalimullah was arrested in connection with a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Further legal proceedings are underway.

Kalimullah served as the fourth Vice-Chancellor of the university. He also held the position of Chairman of the National Election Observation Council (JANIPOP).

During his tenure, he faced allegations of irregular attendance, authoritarianism, nepotism, and corruption—accusations he has consistently denied.

A 790-page white paper documenting 111 instances of alleged misconduct was published by the Odhikar Surakkha Parishad, a coalition of the university’s teachers, officials, and employees.

In 2019, the Bangabandhu Parishad—an association of a section of university teachers—submitted a written complaint to the Education Minister, outlining 45 allegations of irregularities, corruption, and abuse of power. The complaint was signed by the Parishad’s president, Kamalesh Chandra Roy, and general secretary, Moshiur Rahman.

Separate investigation committees of the University Grants Commission (UGC) also found evidence of irregularities in several projects under Kalimullah’s supervision. These included the construction of a female dormitory, a research institute, and a Liberation War memorial. The committees recommended legal action against Kalimullah and others involved.