Gujarat University Suspends 10 Temporary Officers Over High Salaries Amid Probe Into Alleged Irregular Appointments

Gujarat University has suspended 10 temporary officers pending an inquiry after a three-member committee reportedly found prima facie irregularities in their appointments and remuneration. The action follows complaints alleging that several contractual officers were appointed without a transparent recruitment process while drawing monthly salaries ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh.

The university said the suspensions will remain in force until the investigation is completed.

Appointments Under Scrutiny

The controversy centres on appointments made between 2020 and 2025 across various university departments and affiliated institutions.

Among those under scrutiny is Srinivasa Rao Sureddy, who was appointed as Group CEO of the Gujarat University Startup and Entrepreneurship Council (GUSEC). According to the allegations, he was appointed in 2023 without following the prescribed recruitment procedure and was paid a monthly salary of ₹5 lakh. Reports claim he received nearly ₹2.5 crore in salary over the past three years.

The inquiry is also examining the appointments of other contractual officers posted in departments including accounts, estates, legal affairs and innovation centres, several of whom are retired professionals from organisations such as the State Bank of India (SBI) and ONGC.

ABVP Complaint Led To Inquiry

The university constituted the three-member committee after the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) submitted a written complaint to the officiating Vice-Chancellor, alleging financial irregularities and non-transparent appointments.

Based on the committee's preliminary findings, the university ordered the suspension of the officers pending completion of the investigation.

On Thursday, ABVP members and student activists also staged a protest outside the Vice-Chancellor's office, demanding strict action over the alleged irregularities.

Officials Suspended Pending Investigation

The suspended contractual officers are:

• Srinivasa Rao Sureddy – Group CEO, GUSEC
• Manarsingh Rajora – CEO, IDSRF
• Biswajit Adhikari – Senior Vice President, AIC-GUSEC
• Dinesh Kumar – Officer on Special Duty, Accounts Department
• Dr Pawan Pandit – Director, CPC, and In-charge Director, K.S. School of Business Management
• Chandra Shekhar Jha – In-charge Estate Engineer
• Dr Raj Chawla – Professor of Practice
• Tusharbhai Trivedi – Legal Officer
• Pareshbhai Soni – Fire Officer
• Sonal Malhotra – Professor of Practice

Probe To Determine Further Action

University authorities have not disclosed the specific findings of the committee but said the suspensions are precautionary measures pending a detailed inquiry.

The investigation is expected to determine whether recruitment norms, financial procedures and appointment rules were violated before any further disciplinary action is taken.