HC pulls for Ducsu polls

The High Court yesterday issued a rule asking authorities concerned to explain in four weeks why they should not be directed to hold elections within a stipulated timeframe to form Dhaka University Central Students Union (DUCSU).

The court also asked to state why their failure or inaction in discharging duties to hold the election for the last 26 years should not be declared illegal.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

The DU vice chancellor, registrar, proctor and treasurer and the education secretary have been made respondents.  

The bench of Justice Naima Haider and Justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman came up with the rule after hearing a writ petition filed by a former DUCSU vice president,  Sultan Muhammed Mansur Ahmad, and two others seeking necessary orders.

Advocate Subrata Chowdhury, representing the petitioners, told The Daily Star that relevant laws stipulate that it is the duty of the respondents to hold the election every year.

The inaction is a violation of the provisions of Articles 4 and 20 of the Dhaka University Order, 1973 (President's Order No.11 of 1973) and the fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 27 of the constitution, he said.         

It is also arbitrary, malafide and discriminatory as they failed to take into consideration the fact that students have been paying fees related to DUCSU for 26 years without getting those facilities, he added.

Moreover, students are not being represented in the DU senate as relevant laws stipulate that DUCSU is supposed to nominate five such representatives, he said.