Rajshahi University has barred Associate Professor Dr Sujan Sen from all academic and administrative activities for five years and demoted him to assistant professor. The decision, involving the Department of Drawing, Oriental Art and Printmaking, was made at the university’s 548th syndicate meeting on Thursday. Registrar Professor Iftikharul Alam Masud confirmed the action on Monday morning, citing allegations of incompetence, corruption, arbitrariness and giving advantages to preferred students.

Masud said Sen will be eligible to rejoin as an assistant professor after five years. He may apply for promotion to associate professor only four years after that, leaving him nine years behind in his career progression. He also will not receive any increments during the five-year period.

Students declared Sen unwelcome in the department on August 25 last year. On September 8, they submitted a written complaint of about 200 pages, including evidence of alleged corruption and irregularities, to the vice-chancellor, student adviser and department chair. An emergency meeting suspended him from departmental activities on September 9, and the administration formed an inquiry committee on September 18. Its report found his conduct amounted to ethical misconduct.