Police arrested Dhaka University’s Chemistry Department professor Md Ershad Halim on Thursday around 11:00pm from his Shewrapara residence in the capital for allegedly sexually harassing male students.
Confirming his arrest on Friday, DU Proctor Associate Professor Saifuddin Ahmed said, “The legal process will take its due course. Police contacted us and we informed them that they could proceed with the arrest if the offence is cognisable."
He said the university authorities have already instructed Prof Ershad to refrain from all academic and administrative duties after two students filed complaints of sexual harassment.
“Further action will follow a thorough investigation. The charge sheet has been forwarded to the university’s anti-sexual harassment cell,” he said.
On Thursday night, students of the Chemistry Department held a press conference at the Dhaka University Journalists’ Association (DUJA) office, alleging that Prof Ershad had harassed several male students and subjected them to physical and sexual abuse.