Guv removes VC of Baba Amte Divyang University and Skill University over appointment irregularities

Jaipur: Governor Haribhau Bagde Thursday ordered the immediate removal of Prof. Dev Swarup from the post of vice-chancellor of Baba Amte Divyang University and acting vice-chancellor of Vishwakarma Skill University over alleged irregularities in appointments during his tenure at the University of Rajasthan.

Officials said the action was taken in consultation with the state govt following complaints alleging fraudulent practices and arbitrary appointments made during Swarup’s tenure as vice-chancellor of Rajasthan University in 2011-12 and the 2013-14 selection process.

According to a statement issued by the Governor’s office, complainant Prem Lata Singaria of Jaipur alleged that Swarup bypassed university rules and UGC provisions to favour selected candidates over deserving applicants. The complaint was filed under the category of “Injustice against a woman belonging to a Scheduled Caste.”

Following the complaint, the Governor constituted a three-member high-level inquiry committee headed by Kota University vice-chancellor Bhagwati Prasad Saraswat.

“The report conclusively established that, during his tenure as VC, Dev Swarup acted in contravention of established rules and UGC provisions; he arbitrarily convened selection-related meetings and recorded their minutes,” the Governor’s office said in an official release.

The report further stated that during syndicate meetings, Swarup “deviated from standard procedural norms to fabricate forged, counterfeit, and false documents, thereby deceitfully securing appointments for his favoured candidates.”

The inquiry report also found that despite being eligible, complainant Premlata Singaria was awarded lower marks for academic records and research work. It further noted that while favoured candidates received up to 49 out of 50 marks in interviews and subject knowledge assessment, Singaria was awarded only 10 marks.

The Governor has directed Prof. Tribhuvan Sharma, vice-chancellor of RAJUVAS, to take additional charge of Baba Amte Divyang University, while Prof. N.K. Pandey of Haridev Joshi University of Journalism and Mass Communication will hold additional charge of Vishwakarma Skill University.