Patna University. Telegraph picture

Patna, May 3: The reinstating of Jyoti Shekhar, a teacher of Patna University (PU) department of applied economics and commerce, has infused a sense of hope for other teachers, who too await their return.

Shekhar, who was suspended by former PU vice-chancellor Shyam Lal, was re-instated by a directive from the chancellor (Governor Devanand Konwar) last week.

PU vice-chancellor Sudipto Adhikari told The Telegraph: “The university authorities are optimistic that two other teachers, Asim Lal Chakroborty and P.C. Verma, who were dismissed on charges of irregularities in the MBA and BBA admission process will be re-instated soon.”

Chakroborty, at present, confined to a wheel chair because of fractured leg said: “I have great faith in God and it is my intuition that as I have not committed any mistake I will definitely get justice.”

Chakroborty joined the PU department of applied economics and commerce in 1996 from Ranchi University. His dismissal was a surprise as he was considered to be one of the best teachers of the university.

Adhikari said: “We have written letters to the chancellor’s office requesting the reinstatement of these teachers, as the university is facing a severe teacher shortage.” Meanwhile, support for Chakroborty and Verma has gained momentum after the reinstatement of Shekhar and Ran Vijay Singh. Patna University Teachers’ Association (Puta) had demanded the reinstatement of Chakroborty and Verma, as they, too, were dismissed on similar charges.”

Randhir Kumar Singh, general secretary, Puta said: “These teachers should also be allowed to rejoin their duties in the university as their cases are similar to that of Shekhar and Singh. Moreover, all the dismissed teachers have represented their cases to the chancellor for reconsideration. Former Patna College principal Ran Vijay Kumar, who was also dismissed on the same charges, was reinstated on the orders of the chancellor last year, while Shekhar was reinstated a few days back by the chancellor’s office.”

According to details, Shekhar and Chakroborty were charged of committing irregularities in admission process of MBA for the 2006-08 session. They were accused of favouring three students who were admitted to the course on fake Management Aptitude Test scores. While Chakroborty was not in-charge of the admission process, Shekhar was the director, supervising the admission process.

Former vice-chancellor Shyam Lal on various charges dismissed five other teachers, including “Love Guru” Matuk Nath Chaudhary, a Hindi teacher of BN College.