HC bars Ctg BAF Shaheen College from charging extra fees

The High Court today directed the authorities concerned to refrain from charging additional fees from the students of BAF Shaheen College in Chittagong for next six months.

The court also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned of the government and the college to explain in four weeks why charging additional fees from its students should not be declared illegal.

In the rule, the HC also asked them to show cause for why they should not be directed to refund the money already collected as additional fees to the students and to implement the government order that asked the institution not to enhance more than 30 percent of the fees.  

The HC bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Ashish Ranjan Das came up with the order and rule following a writ petition filed by guardians of five students of BAF Shaheen College in Chittagong challenging the charging of additional fees from its students.

The education secretary, director general of directorate of mass education, chairman and principal of the college and other officials concerned have been made respondents to the rule, petitioners' lawyer Advocate Subrata Chowdhury told The Daily Star.

He said the government in May this year issued a circular saying that BAF Shaheen College authorities can enhance the tuition fees of the students to maximum 30 percent on consulting with the guardians.

But, the authorities have enhanced the tuition and other fees by 60 percent to 140 percent violating the government order, Advocate Subrata added.