UP Varsity Vice-Chancellor Rejoins After 85 Days Leave Under CBI Lens

Kanpur:

Facing corruption allegations, Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University Vice-Chancellor Vinay Kumar Pathak returned to work on Monday after nearly three months of sick leave.

Shortly after taking office, Pathak had several separate meetings with teachers and staff members, CSJMU’s Public Affairs Officer Vishal Sharma told PTI over the phone.

However, he refused to interact with members of the media, who were not allowed on campus. Security on campus has also been strengthened.

During the meeting, Pathak instructed staff to prepare themselves for National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) assessment and work towards better grades.

Sharma said VC rejoined after 85 days of sick leave.

The VC also added that all members held committee-based meetings for the proposed meeting ceremony on February 16.

On Wednesday, the Allahabad High Court ordered the bail release of Ajay Mishra, a defendant in a corruption case with the VC.

The Lucknow tribunal that passed the judgment observed that although Pathak (53) is said to be the main defendant in the case, neither the Special Task Force (STF) nor the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) have so far questioned him. .

Judge Rajesh Singh Chauhan’s decision on Mishra’s bail request said the CBI is currently investigating the case and at this stage it cannot be said how long it will take for the federal agency to finalize the investigation.

Uttar Pradesh Police filed an FIR against Pathak on 29 October last year on charges of racketeering, corruption and wrongful imprisonment.

This was followed by the arrest of three alleged accomplices, including Mishra.

The STF had given notices to Pathak, but he had not come to be questioned.

Complainant David Mario Denis claimed that Pathak received 15 percent of approximately Rs 1.41 crore for a project allocated to his company.

The CBI registered the case against Pathak on January 7.

(Other than the headline, this news was not edited by NDTV staff and aired from a syndicated feed.)