Oct. 2: Banaras Hindu University vice-chancellor Girish Chandra Tripathi is learnt to have proceeded on "indefinite" leave today, apparently prodded by the Centre which is keen to defuse the campus agitation over police brutality on students and poor security.

There was no official confirmation and Tripathi did not respond to calls.

The central university - situated in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's parliamentary constituency Varanasi - has been on the boil since September 21 when a girl student was harassed on the campus. But Tripathi is alleged to have advised her to forget the incident and stop stepping out of her hostel after 6pm because "boys will be boys".

Two days later, police had baton-charged agitating students as they marched to the VC's quarters in protest against the varsity administration's response, sending six boys and six girls to hospital.

The three-year term of Tripathi, known for his association with the RSS, would have ended on November 27. But before the controversy broke, speculation was rife that he would be given another three-year term.

A varsity official said the Centre may have prodded Tripathi to go on leave as students from several other universities are set to congregate at BHU on October 11.

The official said Tripathi would return to the varsity tomorrow when it reopens after a brief vacation, though it was not clear who would assume charge.

The BHU Act is silent on who would handle the responsibility if an incumbent VC proceeds on leave.

Tripathi is learnt to be in the race for the post of chairman of the UGC, vacant for the past six months.