IIT Registrar suspended for ‘ignoring fine’

IIT-Delhi Registrar Colonel Rajinder Singh has been suspended for not depositing a fine of Rs 25,000 imposed by the Central Information Commission, reports Jaya Shroff.

In an action packed morning, IIT-Delhi Registrar Colonel Rajinder Singh was suspended on Friday. The institute’s Director, Surendra Prasad said this was an inevitable step.

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On receiving the suspension notification, security officials sealed the Registrar’s office. In an unprecedented reaction, Singh called the Police Control Room alleging he was being forcibly thrown out of the office. Singh said his suspension was a result of his seeking information from the Central Vigilance Commissioner regarding the release of Endowment Funds for foreign junkets of faculty members during the first week of July 2007.

Prasad, however, said, “His suspension is due to technical reasons. He had not deposited a fine of Rs 25,000 imposed by the Central Information Commission in his earlier capacity as Public Information Officer of IIT Delhi. Inspite of repeated orders, he did not obey the administration nor did he comply with the CIC order.”

Singh’s response was, “Although there is some amount of truth, the larger picture is grossly misrepresented. I had informed the Director I am going to file a writ in the High Court challenging the order but he had other intentions.”

According to an unnamed source, other reasons are making round in IIT, namely an embezzlement of funds by the Director amounting to nearly Rs 2.5 crore. “These allegations are absolutely baseless. If there is any truth in the allegation then I shall resign from office,” said an upset Prasad.