Despite the issue was pending in the higher court, a RU notice signed by the registrar on September 19 permitted them to work till December 13 with effect from August 14.

When contacted RU Registrar Abdus Salam admitted the fact.

Different sources including senior teachers have termed the move 'illegal and illogical' and said, RU would suffer fresh losses of Tk 50 lakh in addition to Tk 3 crore already washed out after them.

The latest move came after the High Court on September 11 stayed the fresh process of recruiting 573 employees with an ulterior motive of legalising the 544 appointments.

Their recruitment witnessed legal impediment first when Advocate Abu Aslam in a public-interest-litigation challenged it calling 'politically motivated, beyond budgetary provisions and without requirement'.

Over the litigation, Rajshahi Senior Assistant Judge's Court issued injunction on the appointments and the ruling was upheld at High Court. The case is now pending in the Supreme Court.

RU authorities appointed 544 employees in 2004 in an unprecedented manner without any advertisement and violating the university rules and University Grant Commission (UGC) circulars.

Meanwhile, many senior teachers and officials have alleged that the disputed employees have no requisite qualifications.

"Moreover their presence is hampering educational and administrative activities as they terrorise and embarrass us, " said a RU teacher.