Legislative body tells Nagpur varsity to file police case

Following delay in taking action in the irregular appointments of over 500 staffers of the Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University, the high-powered legislative committee for the Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribe (VJNT) has asked the university to initiate police action against the suspects.

Following delay in taking action in the irregular appointments of over 500 staffers of the Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University, the high-powered legislative committee for the Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribe (VJNT) has asked the university to initiate police action against the suspects.

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The four-member committee summoned the university officials on August 25 to know the progress in the matter.

University insiders said over 500 posts in the university and its affiliated colleges in eastern Vidarbha were filled illegally. A university official said, the scam cost the state exchequer over Rs300 crore in salary payments.

HT had first exposed the scam in July 2009, following which multiple inquiries — including the one by retired high court justice GG Lone — were ordered. Lone found that some job reservation manuals were tampered with. The manipulations denied jobs to eligible candidates from reserved categories since 1999.

Lone submitted his report on January 6, after a 14-month probe. He told HT that he found job reservation manuals were forged since 1999 by senior university officer Ashok Manchalwar (now retired), following which the committee recommended filing a case against the officer.

“Forgery is punishable under section 420 of the Indian Penal Code. I wonder why the university has not taken cognisance of our report as yet,” said Lone. “Manchalwar admitted to the criminal act.”

In a separate probe last year, principal secretary (social development co-ordination and inquiry officer) PS Meena, also found appointments of senior teaching staff were illegal.

“We will file a report to the legislature before making a comment,” he said. Vice-chancellor VS Sapkal said “We will take action as asked by the esteemed committee of legislators.” He did not say by which date the university will file a police complaint.