‘Occupation’ by sitting on the chair of the CSC? Dr. Shahadat in contempt of court case for taking control of Premier University

Chattogram Bureau

A dispute over the control and ownership of Premier University has triggered intense controversy in Chattogram’s higher education and political circles. The family of the institution’s founder, ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, has accused the board led by BNP leader Dr. Shahadat Hossain, who is currently overseeing the Chattogram City Corporation, of “illegal occupation” of the university and “contempt of court.”

In a lengthy statement published on social media, Borhanul Hasan Chowdhury Saleheen, son of ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, presented what he described as five indisputable legal facts and historical documents, characterizing the actions of the current city corporation administration as “illegal and criminal offenses.”

Under the Private University Act of 1992, one of the primary requirements for establishing a private university was a permanent endowment fund of Tk 50 million. According to available documents, the entire fund was raised through the sole initiative of then-Mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury. The statement claims that the Chattogram City Corporation made no financial contribution to the endowment.

Challenging the current board, the statement demanded that if the city corporation had indeed provided funding, it should publicly disclose a check or other financial records proving its contribution.

A memorandum issued by Branch-14 of the Ministry of Education on Jan. 21, 2002 (Memo No. Shim/Sha-14/8 Beshobi-15/2001/25), specifically stated in Condition 2(e) of the university’s approval that “the institute previously established shall have no relationship with the City Corporation.”

The same document addressed ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury as the “entrepreneur” of the university. Therefore, according to the statement, the ministry’s conditions clearly established from the outset that the city corporation had no institutional or ownership rights over the university.

In 2015, following actions by the then city corporation administration and a letter from the University Grants Commission (UGC), founder Mohiuddin Chowdhury sought legal remedy through the courts. In June 2016, the High Court reviewed the Chattogram City Corporation Ordinance of 1982 and the Private University Act of 2010 and ruled that “there is no legal provision allowing Chattogram City Corporation to operate a private university.” Following the ruling, the UGC was compelled to withdraw its disputed letter.

The statement describes the alleged misuse of legal authority as the most alarming aspect of the controversy. The case is currently pending before Bangladesh’s highest court at the leave-to-appeal stage. According to the statement, the city corporation has not yet obtained final permission to appeal the High Court ruling. Reconstituting the Board of Trustees while the legal process remains ongoing constitutes a serious contempt of court and a criminal offense, it claims.

The statement further argues that the land occupied by Campus-1 and Campus-2 at Probortok Mor had been legally leased from the city corporation by the university authorities. It raises the question: “If the university belongs to the city corporation, why would it lease its own property to itself?”

It also strongly criticizes the recent demolition of two buildings constructed with students’ tuition fees. The statement questions whether there are plans to develop commercial establishments on the site.

Thousands of Students Face Uncertainty

Caught in the middle of the political and legal struggle are thousands of Premier University students, whose futures remain uncertain. The statement warns that if the ongoing legal dispute eventually affects students’ academic activities, educational careers, or the validity of their certificates, those responsible for forming what it describes as an “illegal” board must bear full responsibility.

The statement concludes by expressing concern that the forceful takeover of an autonomous higher education institution could set a dangerous precedent for the future.