The Anti-Corruption Commission has launched an investigation into the allegations brought against former Islamic University vice-chancellor Professor Shaikh Abdus Salam.
The allegations against Salam include corruption in teacher recruitment, mismanagement of mega development projects and unauthorised withdrawal of institutional funds.
ACC assistant director Bulbul Ahmed Riyad, accompanied by a team of four engineers, visited the Islamic University campus to conduct an on-site inspection and gather evidence related to the alleged irregularities on Monday.
Speaking to journalists after the visit, Riyad said, 鈥榃e are investigating multiple allegations, including manipulation in faculty recruitment, submission of falsified bills and financial misconduct in large-scale infrastructure projects. The issues were not properly examined earlier. Field inspections are crucial to determining the actual extent of the irregularities. We expect to complete the investigation within one month to one and a half months,鈥� he said.
The investigation followed the leak of at least 14 audio recordings 鈥� widely circulated on social media 鈥� that allegedly feature Professor Salam discussing arrangements for illegal appointments and fund disbursements in exchange for bribes.
The authenticity of the recordings has not yet been independently verified, but they have triggered widespread public outcry.
In response, several petitions and formal letters demanding accountability were submitted to the office of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and the other relevant authorities.
The Hasina-led regime was ousted on August 5 past year in a mass uprising.
The University Grants Commission, acting on directives from the education ministry under the interim government, formed a three-member inquiry committee to examine the allegations of corruption and recruitment malpractice against the former VC.
IU pro-vice-chancellor Professor M Yeaqub Ali said, 鈥楾he ACC officials paid a courtesy visit to the university. Beyond formal greetings, no substantive discussions took place. The investigation is being conducted independently, and we are cooperating as required,鈥� he added.
