The resignation of Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University (TMBU) controller of examinations Ramashish Purbey following an order of vice-chancellor (in-charge) Bimal Kumar has left the students of the institute fuming.

On Monday, activists of the JD(U)’s students’ wing burnt an effigy of Rajiv Ranjan Poddar, who would fill up the vacant post. Anjani, TMBU co-ordinator of All India Students’ Association (AISA), sought a vigilance probe into the functioning of the examination department. He said there should be a “thorough inquiry” into the allegations that Purbey had levelled against the university authorities. Purbey was asked to resign for allegedly tampering with BEd examination answerscripts.

The relation between Purbey and the university had soured after he raised his voice against alleged corruption in the functioning of the university. He had also accused the co-ordinator of colleges and development council, Rajeev Kumar Sinha, of trying to harm him.

Sources said Shiv Prasad Yadav, the co-ordinator of National Social Scheme, was assigned the job of conducting the BEd examination. When he refused, Purbey was asked to take the responsibility. Purbey also refused to take up the task saying one of his relatives was appearing in the examination.

The VC finally asked Sinha to conduct the BEd examination and publish its results. After the results were published recently, the alleged tampering episode came to light.

The VC in-charge told reporters: “Earlier, Purbey was charged with tampering copies. If someone faces such allegations, s/he should immediately submit his resignation.” When asked about the threat to Purbey’s life, Kumar said the varsity would take appropriate steps only after getting a formal complaint from Purbey.

“We don’t have any interest about who sits on the examination controller’s chair but we want to smoothen the system in the varsity and ensure timely publication of results. Poddar should immediately be replaced,” said Mithilesh Kumar Yadav, the JD(U) students’ wing district president. He added that Purbey had taken some corrective measures to counter the “irregularities” in the examination department.

Purbey, on the other hand, said when he joined the examination department on November 18, 2011, he found many serious irregularities in it.