DHAKA:  The High Court Thursday reprimanded Jahangirnagar University Vice- chancellor Sharif Enamul Karim for blurting out “irresponsible comment” and disclosing the name of a victim of sexual harassment.

The VC got the stick as he along with varsity Registrar Abu Bakr Siddique appeared before the HC bench of justices Syed Mahmud Hossain and Gabinda Chandra Thakur in a case related to a sexual-harassment incident at the varsity.

“You are a university teacher as well as VC. You hold a highly responsible post. You didn’t show responsibility disclosing the name of the complainant,” the court told the VC in passing an order for ensuring all kinds of security for the complainant.

Earlier on June 3, the court had directed the VC and the Registrar to appear in person before the court following a case filed by Ain O Salish Kendra on June 2.  

The legal aid organization also made a plea as to why contempt-of-court proceedings should not be drawn against the VC for his behaviour.

VC Enamul Kabir, in an interview with a private TV channel on May 1, disclosed the name of a female teacher of the Psychology Department of JU after she brought an allegation against one of her colleagues for harassing her sexually.

At the same time, a probe body formed to investigate the incident also disclosed her name in its notice published on April 17,18 and 30.

The HC has a standing declaration that the name of any victim of sexual harassment could not be made public.
 
BDST: 1333 Hrs, June 10,2010
JA/RT/SA/LY/MUA