Former JUST VC Hospitalized After Stroke in Prison
Professor Dr. Abdus Sattar, who served as the Vice-Chancellor of Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) from 2009 to 2017, was admitted to Jashore General Hospital on Monday, August 11, after falling ill in prison. The 68-year-old former VC reportedly suffered a stroke around 10:45 am while in custody.
Dr. Sattar is facing charges of illegal recruitment and embezzling Tk 6,131,732 in government funds during his tenure as VC. On June 16 this year, a court sent him to jail in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Although he was granted bail in that case, he was shown arrested in another ACC case over allegations of abuse of power.
Prison authorities rushed him to the hospital after he complained of illness. He has been diagnosed with high blood pressure and is currently under observation following medical tests.
At the male paying ward of the hospital, Dr. Sattar was seen receiving treatment under the watch of a police officer and two prison guards. Relatives, along with JUST officials and teachers, have been visiting him.
Jashore General Hospital Superintendent Dr. Safayet Hossain told the media, “He is not out of danger. A CT scan revealed a disruption in blood circulation to his brain. His treatment and observation are ongoing. A medical team will be formed for his treatment on Tuesday (August 12) morning.”
Sources said that upon his arrival at the hospital, Jashore Civil Surgeon Dr. Masud Rana, Additional District Magistrate Komolesh Majumder, and prison hospital physician Sajjad Hossain rushed to attend to him.
Following the incident, Dr. Sattar’s son, Wasif Sattar, expressed his frustration in a social media post, writing: “My father had to go to jail at the age of seventy for taking up the position of Vice-Chancellor of Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST). Despite repeatedly informing the court of his physical condition, he was not granted bail. Finally, he suffered a stroke in Jashore Central Jail. He has been admitted to the hospital in critical condition. May the government’s good sense prevail.”
