The fate of 2,520 MPhil distance course students of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University belonging to 2014-15 and 2015-16 academic sessions has been jeopardised because of an inquiry the governor-cum-chancellor of universities ordered.

Suspecting foul play at the Muzaffarpur-headquartered varsity, chancellor Ram Nath Kovind summoned vice-chancellor (VC) Pandit Prabhakar Palande on January 25 and ordered him to initiate disciplinary action against Lalan Kumar, the administrative officer of the university's distance education department.

Moreover, Kovind ordered Palande to form a committee to ascertain how the university started the MPhil course, admitted students for two academic sessions and collected fees from them without the approval of the chancellor's office and the state government.

On being contacted, varsity registrar Ratnesh Kumar Mishra on Saturday said: "Lalan Kumar has been suspended on the chancellor's directive. The VC has called a meeting on Sunday to discuss the formation of the probe committee."

Mishra added that admission to the course and the examination of the admitted students had been suspended. "The examinations will be held only after issue is resolved."

The registrar said the MPhil course had been started in anticipation of approval from the chancellor and the state government. But Kovind's office termed it an exercise in violation of University Grants Commission norms.

VC Palande couldn't be contacted for comment despite repeated attempts. His tenure comes to an end on February 2.

Sources in the varsity said 1,260 students were enrolled in the MPhil course for each of the two academic sessions. Admissions were taken in 21 subjects and Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 was charged from each.

Former students' union president and senator Harendra Kumar said: "University officials seem to have spoilt the career of over 2,500 students by starting the new course without completing requisite formalities. The scam indicates siphoning of money.

Raj Bhavan took notice of the matter only after some students wrote letters seeking its intervention.

Rajan Kumar, a gold medallist in MA (economics) who took admission in economics for session 2014-15, said: "It took a year-and-a-half for the chancellor's office to take action against the erring official."

A senior official of the education department said it would wait for the report to the inquiry Kovind had ordered.

A source in Raj Bhavan said Lalan was showcaused in December 2016. He had replied that the course was started after the highest academic body of the university approved it. "He held the VC and the chairman of the advisory board of the academic council responsible for the lapses," said the source.

Sources added that the university didn't take action against Lalan earlier owing to his political connections.