Controversies seem to have a strange liaison with Central University of Jharkhand.
The varsity, which had hogged headlines in May following allegations of sexual harassment against the vice chancellor, is back in news for allegedly trying to evict the wife of a retired official from campus quarters in Brambe, 30km from capital Ranchi, in his absence.
Sudipta Mahanta, wife of former deputy registrar Central University of Jharkhand (CUJ) Kalipada Mahanta, lodged an FIR against the varsity's registrar (in-charge) Ratan Kumar Dey, associate professor Ajay Singh and estate in-charge Pankaj Anand on June 23.
The FIR was reportedly registered by Mandar police on the on June 19 directive of the court of a first-class judicial magistrate. Sudipta had moved court in April after police allegedly ignored her pleas since March.
Mandar thana OC Ram Narayan Singh confirmed that the FIR mentioned harassment and eviction attempts from CUJ quarters since December 2016. "But, I am not in a position to give details on the case right now," he said.
Rural SP Raj Kumar Lakra claimed knowledge about the FIR against varsity officials, but echoed OC Singh to say that he couldn't recall details.
A constable at Mandar police station told this newspaper that the FIR had been registered under various sections of the IPC including 120B (conspiracy), 166 (public servant disobeying law with the intent to cause injury to a person), 167 (public servant framing an incorrect document with intent to cause injury), 177 (furnishing false information), 182 (false information used by public servant to cause injury), 419 (cheating), 425 (mischief), 464 (making a false document), 506 (criminal intimidation).
"The accused trio are the registrar (in-charge) of CUJ, an associate professor and the estate in-charge. Investigations have begun," the constable said, requesting anonymity.
Registrar (in-charge) Dey was out of station on Sunday and could not be contacted. Manoj Kumar, who is filling in for Dey, feigned ignorance about the case.
However, another university employee explained the circumstances that preceded the case. He said deputy registrar Mahanta was suspended on January 16, 2016, by CUJ vice chancellor Nand Kumar Yadav Indu following charges of financial irregularities in purchase of air conditioners worth Rs 8 lakh. While still under suspension, Mahanta retired on October 31 last year.
"According to rules, a varsity official is allowed to remain in campus quarters until eight months after his retirement. In this case, the time expired only on June 30, but the family was being troubled since last December. Power and water supply were disconnected earlier this year while the woman was alone and the retired deputy registrar had gone to his native place in Baripada, Odisha, to oversee house construction work," the CUJ source said.
Vice chancellor Nand Kumar he had heard about the FIR, but had not seen a copy since he was out of station. "The (retired) deputy registrar has always been in controversy. A CBI case is pending against him. He never paid rent. He was involved in financial irregularities. He himself never stays in the quarters while his wife and son occupy it," the VC said.
Sudipta denied the allegations. "The VC can't pronounce my husband guilty before conclusion of trial. Gratuity of my husband is still pending with the university and dues, if any, can be adjusted from there," she said.
