An engineer at the Lalit Narayan Mithila University (Darbhanga) has challenged the administration's decision to suspend him after allegations were levelled that his degrees were fake.

Sohan Chaudhury, who looked after the varsity's infrastructure, was suspended on Saturday because of his alleged failure to produce documents sought by the university. Sohan said last month, the university had directed him to produce a few documents, including his engineering degree and a copy of the advertisement, based on which he had been selected for the job.

"The advertisement is a property of the LNMU. How can I provide that document? The university administration intentionally asked me to produce it so that they could use it as an alibi to justify the suspension. If I am really guilty I should be dismissed," he said.

RJD student leader Rajesh Kumar had complained to vice-chancellor Saket Kushwaha alleging Sohan had fake degrees. He had also submitted an affidavit regarding the allegation. Sohan is the son of former Congress MLC Neelambar Chaudhary.

Speaking to The Telegraph on Sunday, Sohan said the university administration was working in a vindictive manner and his suspension was ordered without verifying his engineering degree. The engineer has now been directed to report at the CMB College at Ghoghardiha in Madhubani district during his suspension period.

The engineer claims to have pursued his engineering course from NIT-Jaipur and had the degree in his possession; based on which he was selected for the job around 30 years back.

Sohan said he would approach the governor's office challenging his suspension. "I am also seeking legal opinion and will knock doors of the Patna High Court," he said.

LNMU registrar Ajeet Kumar Singh said the engineer disobeyed the vice-chancellor's order to produce the documents.

"Chaudhary did not furnish the documents after several reminders. His disobedience invited the suspension. We are still enquiring whether he had fake degrees," Ajeet said.