HRD issues notice to Visva Bharti University Vice-Chancellor Sushanta Dattagupta

New Delhi: The Union HRD Ministry on Wednesday issued a showcause notice to Visva Bharti University Vice-Chancellor Sushanta Dattagupta, seeking his explanation on alleged financial and administrative irregularities found by a panel set up by the Ministry.

Dattagupta has been given 21 days to explain his position before the Ministry contemplates further action against him. The President, who is the visitor to the Central universities including Viswa Bharti, can invoke Section 16 of the General Clause Act to remove a V-C.

The Ministry had last week got the approval of the President to showcause Dattagupta. The three-member panel set up in February this year and headed by Justice Sakharam Singh Yadav, a former judge of Allahabad High Court, took cognisance of several enquiries and complaints against Datta-gupta including alleged misappropriation of funds.

Dattagupta has been accused of making several illegal appointments including the appointment of the Controller of Exa-minations despite having no powers to do so and sanctioning key posts in violation of the Visva Bharti Act. He is accused of drawing his salary from Visva-Bharati and pension from JNU, which is a gross violation of the university’s Act.