Rajshahi Medical University (RMU) Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Md. Jawadul Haque has alleged that he has received death threats for rejecting illegal demands. At the same time, he claimed that the allegations of 9 percent bribery in the project, which have been published in various media, are completely baseless and motivated. Addressing a press conference organized at the university conference room on Wednesday, March 04, 2026 at 11 am, the Vice Chancellor said that on December 24, 2025, he and the concerned officials were intimidated through WhatsApp messages, calls and voice messages. Even physical assault and death threats have been made. Digital evidence of all this has been preserved and the matter has been reported to several intelligence agencies, he said. The Vice Chancellor said that on March 2, several media outlets published an allegation of ‘demanding a bribe of 9 percent of the project’ involving him and the university administration.
Although the names of ‘Zenith Corporation’ and ‘Tabassum Enterprises’ were mentioned as the complainants, these two organizations did not participate in the tender process of any project of the university. He commented that the allegation of demanding bribes from those who did not participate in the tender is not reasonable. He claimed that a group has started spreading misinformation after being unable to exert illegal influence in the tender process.
According to him, Ataur Rahman Tipu, the owner of ‘Zenith Corporation’, had been pressuring for changes in the Tender Data Sheet (TDS) according to his conditions, which is against the Public Procurement Rules (PPR). He said that although there is a provision to keep the ‘specific experience’ between 50 and 80 percent of the estimated cost in large projects, there is a demand to reduce it to below 50 percent.
The press conference also said that another company named ‘M Jamal Co.’ complained to the university and the ministry with the same demand. Later, the Health Ministry expressed satisfaction with the university’s position with a technical explanation and ordered the tender process to continue.
The VC alleged that a group was trying to oust him using the media so that a person of their choice could be appointed as the VC and a specific contractor could be given the job. However, he said that the administration would not deviate from its policy stance under any pressure or threat.
Stating that the ongoing mega project of RMU is being implemented with transparency and accountability, the VC said that necessary legal action will be taken against propaganda and threats. Despite repeated attempts to contact Zenith Corporation owner Ataur Rahman Tipu on his mobile phone, he did not answer the call. As a result, it was not possible to get his statement.