Teachers, officials and students of Gauhati University protest against the scams on the campus. File picture

June 21: The CBI today said investigation into the multicrore-rupee scams that rocked Gauhati University had reached its final stage.

After questioning some officials of the university this afternoon, the CBI took down their statements. CBI sources said in all likelihood it would file chargesheets by next month.

The investigating agency will question the staff for a few more days.

“Since the university administration has submitted all the relevant documents, there is no question of delay in the investigation process. We are also conducting the probe cautiously as any lapse might have far reaching consequences,” a CBI official said.

The CBI has been entrusted with probing the cases under Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act and Prevention of Corruption Act through a notification dated July 13, 2005.

The agency is investigating a series of alleged scams such as misappropriation of funds related to remuneration of teachers for evaluation of answerscripts and other external duties, purchase of books and other library materials worth Rs 60 lakh, defalcation of funds during the construction of the Vidhi Vidya Bhavan and irregularities in depositing income tax payments of teachers and employees of the university.

“We have received vital leads regarding misappropriation of funds meant for remuneration of teachers and income tax money. We are investigating roles of some employees of the Gauhati University branch of the State Bank of India where the university has its account. Everything will be clear by next month,” the official said.

He said the CBI had also summoned some retired employees who were in service when the scams took place.

While the Gauhati University Teachers’ Association (GUTA) wants completion of the investigation in a fair manner and at an early date, a section of employees and teachers is not sure whether the university administration will be able to provide relevant documents to the CBI.

“The investigation was delayed. So there are grounds to doubt that some vital evidences might have been tampered with or are lost. In such a situation, the real culprits might escape and the innocents could be made scapegoats. So there are reasons to worry,” an employee said.

Former GUTA president Atowar Rahman said: “The sooner the CBI files the chargesheets, the better for the university.”