West Bengal Governor Removes Gour Banga University VC Amid Allegations

Kolkata, Aug 27 (PTI) — West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose has removed Professor Pabitra Chattopadhyay from his position as the vice chancellor of the University of Gour Banga with immediate effect. The decision, announced on Wednesday, arises from allegations of dereliction of duty and corruption, as disclosed by a Raj Bhavan official.

The governor, who also serves as the chancellor of the state-run universities, issued this directive following charges raised by the university's inspector of colleges. The inspector accused Professor Chattopadhyay of soliciting money to cover legal expenses.

Professor Chattopadhyay, a faculty member in chemistry, has refuted these allegations. "The authorisation granted to Professor Pabitra Chattopadhyay to exercise the powers and perform the duties of the vice-chancellor of the University of Gour Banga, by order of the Chancellor, is hereby annulled with immediate effect," an official informed PTI.

It is reported that the inspector of colleges has filed cases at the Calcutta High Court, pointing to alleged irregularities where the interim VC demanded a sum of Rs 3 lakh to meet legal costs. "Such an allegation is serious. We cannot have a person in the position of a VC who has been accused of asking for money. The step has been taken to keep the education system in West Bengal clean," the Raj Bhavan official added.

The university's convocation, which was due to be held on August 25, was called off following directions from the West Bengal government's education department. "The chancellor took the firm stand that the government has no authority to interfere with the autonomy of the universities and ordered that the convocation be held as scheduled. But the vice chancellor failed to comply with the direction. This negligence on the part of the VC expedited the immediate removal by the chancellor," the official explained.

Governor Bose had appointed Chattopadhyay as the officiating vice-chancellor of Gour Banga University after selecting him from the state nominees list back in April 2024. The state-run university's convocation has been on hold since 2017, reportedly due to ongoing issues between the state government and the Governor's office.

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