Dhaka: The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Wednesday suspended its Assistant Secretary (Protocol and Liaison) MA Wares on charges of stealing money at a duty-free shop at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

In the wake of media reports over the charge against the official, the commission took the decision at a special meeting held with UGC Chairman Prof Abdul Mannan in the chair.

All the Members of UGC were present at the meeting, said a UGC handout.

The commission suspended MA Wares as per the section 2 (F) of Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1985 as the commission thinks that its image has been seriously tarnished due to the allegation brought against him.

The UGC also formed a five-member probe committee, headed by its member Prof Dr Mohammad Yousuf Ali Mollah in this regard.

UGC members Prof Dil Afroza Begum, Prof Md. Akhtar Hossain and Prof M Shah Nowaz Ali are members of the committee, while Director of IMCT Division of UGC Khandker Hamidur Rahman is its member secretary.

The committee was asked to submit its report within 10 working days.

MA Wares allegedly stole money from a duty-free shop in the airport on Wednesday morning, an UGC official told UNB.