Gujarat University Hands Former Vice-Chancellor Probe to Retired High Court Judge After Committee Dispute

Gujarat University has handed over its investigation into allegations against its former vice-chancellor to retired Gujarat High Court judge Justice Deepak Vyas, after the former VC questioned the impartiality of an earlier committee formed by the university.

The decision marks a fresh turn in a controversy involving allegations of irregular temporary recruitment, allegedly excessive salaries and financial irregularities linked to grants and various university projects.

Retired Judge to Conduct Fresh Investigation

The university has decided that Justice Deepak Vyas will conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations against the former vice-chancellor.

The new investigation will cover issues including temporary appointments, grants received under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK), other project-related funds and alleged financial irregularities.

The committee has been given three months to complete the investigation and submit its report to the university.

Former VC Had Questioned Earlier Committee

The move follows a dispute over an earlier committee comprising members of the university's syndicate.

The committee had been assigned to examine complaints against the former vice-chancellor, including allegations relating to recruitment practices, salary payments and financial matters. However, the former VC publicly objected to the committee's composition and questioned whether it could conduct an impartial inquiry.

In statements shared on social media, the former vice-chancellor alleged that the committee included syndicate members who were dissatisfied with her and therefore questioned its neutrality.

The former VC argued that an inquiry conducted by members with whom she had differences could not be considered impartial.

Earlier Committee's Report Put on Hold

Following the dispute, the university has effectively moved towards a fresh investigation by an independent retired judge.

The report prepared by the earlier committee will not form the basis of the new inquiry, although the university has said the document has been sent for legal opinion.

A decision on how the earlier report should be treated will be taken after receiving the legal advice.

The development means that questions raised during the earlier inquiry will now be examined again under the supervision of the retired judge.

Allegations Cover Recruitment and Financial Matters

The complaints under scrutiny are understood to cover several aspects of the university's functioning during the former vice-chancellor's tenure.

These include alleged irregularities in temporary recruitment, questions surrounding salaries paid to certain appointments and issues related to grants received for different projects.

The PMJVK-related grants and other financial transactions will also form part of the new investigation.

The university's decision to bring all these matters under one fresh inquiry indicates that the administration wants the allegations to be examined through a process that is less vulnerable to questions over the committee's composition.

University Rejects Social Media Claims

The controversy has also led to a public exchange between the former vice-chancellor and the university administration.

While the former VC used social media to question the university's decision-making and the neutrality of the earlier committee, the in-charge vice-chancellor has reportedly maintained that statements made through social media cannot be treated as formal evidence.

The university has indicated that claims and revelations made publicly will have to be supported by written records before they can be considered as part of the official inquiry.

This has added another layer to the dispute, with the university maintaining that the investigation must be based on documentary evidence rather than public statements.

First Such Probe Against Former Gujarat University VC

The development is significant for Gujarat University as the institution undertakes an investigation of this nature against a former vice-chancellor.

The controversy has also attracted attention because the former vice-chancellor has openly challenged the university's earlier inquiry process rather than allowing the dispute to remain confined to internal proceedings.

With the investigation now entrusted to a retired High Court judge, the focus will shift to the evidence relating to recruitment, project grants, financial transactions and other allegations.

The new committee is expected to submit its findings within three months, after which the university will have to decide what action, if any, should follow.