The Central Bureau of Investigation, on Tuesday, conducted searches in the campus of Visva-Bharati University at Birbhum in West Bengal, and the residence of its officials in connection with a case against its former Vice-Chancellor Sushanta Dutta Gupta and three others officials.
Prof. Dutta Gupta who has resigned from the post of Vice-Chancellor, former Registrar D. Gunasekaran, Finance Officer A.P. Trivedi and Deputy Registrar Shyamala Ray Nair have been accused of financial irregularities. The complaint was lodged under section 120B of the Indian Penal code and under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
‘Criminal conspiracy’
“It was alleged that the said officials entered into a criminal conspiracy between themselves and in pursuance thereof, a Deputy Registrar was appointed in the University in violation of the UGC Rules,” a CBI officer told The Hindu.
According to the agency’s complaint, the Deputy Registrar did not meet the educational criteria and had crossed the maximum age limit by at least seven years.
A team of about 15 officials arrived in the University campus and carried searches throughout the day.
Swapan Kumar Datta, the acting Vice-Chancellor of the university said that the CBI officials sought details about appointment and finances of the university. “They have made a list of documents required and it will be provided by the Registrar office,” he said.
