NBW against ex-VC of Bihar Agriculture University in job scam case

The special investigation team (SIT), probing the alleged irregularities in appointment of assistant professors-cum-junior scientists in BAU, had moved the court for issuance of the arrest warrant.

Bhagalpur: A court in Bihar’s Bhagalpur district has issued a non-bailable warrant against ML Choudhury, former vice-chancellor of Bihar Agriculture University (BAU), Sabour, for alleged irregularities in appointments during his tenure.

Bihar Agriculture University, Sabour. (Niraj/ HT file photo)

The special investigation team (SIT), probing the alleged irregularities in appointment of assistant professors-cum-junior scientists in BAU, had moved the court of additional chief judicial magistrate (ACJM)-10 Ashutosh Pandey on Thursday for issuance of the arrest warrant.

The former VC, who was served notice by the SIT for interrogation earlier this week, did not turn up.

Police said an FIR was lodged against Choudhury after a probe committee, headed by retired Patna high court judge justice Syed Mohammed Mahfooz Alam, constituted in 2015, had indicted him for anomalies in appointment. The panel found that many appointments during his tenure were made by ignoring the candidates’ performance in written test and academic records.

READ: Bihar university moves for FIR against ex-VC over ‘job scam’

Bhagalpur senior superintendent of police (SSP) Manoj Kumar said the regional passport office had been also approached by police for impounding the passport of Choudhury.

READ: FIR against ex-vice chancellor of Bihar Agriculture University

The SIT, in course of investigation, has so far has interrogated more than 12 persons in connection with the alleged irregular appointments. They include those who were appointed as assistant professors-cum-junior scientists and members of the committee involved in selection process.

The SIT has also issued notices to more than a dozen members of the selection committee, including some from other states.