Supreme Court Orders Reinstatement of 988 National University Staff After 13-Year Legal Battle

 

By Staff Correspondent
Date: May 28, 2025
Location: Dhaka

In a landmark judgment, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh has ordered the reinstatement of 988 employees of the National University (NU) who were dismissed in 2012, putting an end to a prolonged and emotionally charged legal battle spanning over a decade.

The verdict, announced Tuesday morning by a full bench led by Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan, directs the university authorities to reinstate all dismissed staff within 60 working days, with appropriate compensation for the period they were unemployed.

📜 Background of the Dismissals

The affected individuals—comprising clerks, technical officers, lab assistants, and administrative personnel—were recruited between 2009 and 2011 under a nationwide decentralization and digitalization initiative launched by the National University.

However, in early 2012, a new NU administration declared the recruitment process “irregular,” alleging procedural flaws and bypassing of approval from the University Grants Commission (UGC). The employment of all 988 staff members was abruptly terminated, sparking widespread protests.

Several terminated employees later filed writ petitions in the High Court Division, seeking redress. Although a partial verdict in 2016 favored a few groups, the matter remained entangled in legal appeals until now.

🏛 Supreme Court’s Observations

In its detailed judgment, the Supreme Court stated that the dismissals were carried out without due process, violating the principles of natural justice and constitutional guarantees.

“No government or autonomous body may arbitrarily terminate employees without lawful justification, especially when their appointments followed established procedures,” the verdict read.

The Court further noted that the claim of recruitment irregularities was never proven in any conclusive investigation, and that the employees had served the university in good faith during their brief tenure.

👨‍💼 Reaction from Affected Employees

Emotions ran high outside the Supreme Court premises following the announcement. Former NU employees—many of whom had since taken on odd jobs or slipped into poverty—expressed relief and joy.

“I never thought this day would come,” said Md. Shamsul Alam, a former lab assistant who has been working as a part-time rickshaw puller. “My dignity has been restored after 13 long years.”

Others spoke of lost opportunities, marriages delayed, and children dropping out of school as consequences of the abrupt job loss.

🏢 National University’s Response

The National University authorities have said they will abide by the Supreme Court’s decision.

“We respect the honorable Court’s verdict and will implement the reinstatement process accordingly,” said Professor Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain, acting Vice Chancellor of NU. “A committee will be formed to ensure transparent and timely reinstatement.”

However, NU insiders indicate concerns over budget allocation and administrative adjustments, given the scale of the reinstatement.

💰 Financial and Administrative Implications

Legal analysts estimate the total compensation—including unpaid salaries, allowances, and benefits over 13 years—could amount to several hundred crore taka. The Ministry of Education is expected to coordinate with the Ministry of Finance to ensure necessary funding.

“This judgment sets a precedent for fairness in public sector employment,” said Barrister Shaila Rahman, who represented a group of the plaintiffs. “It’s a powerful reminder that no institution is above the Constitution.”

🧾 Next Steps

The affected employees are now required to submit reinstatement claims with supporting documentation. The UGC and Ministry of Education have been directed to monitor the execution of the verdict to ensure compliance.