KU suspends professor accused of graft

She allegedly demanded money from doctoral students for completing their PhDs

A special meeting of the Karnatak University syndicate held here on Wednesday decided to suspend Noorjahan Ganihar, dean of the post-graduate department of education, who is facing charges of graft.

Acting vice-chancellor S S Hugar told reporters after the meeting that the syndicate members were of the opinion that the episode of the professor allegedly demanding money from PhD students to get their research work completed had tarnished the image of the university and hence she needed to be kept under suspension pending inquiry. Accordingly, the varsity has decided to suspend her, he said.

The syndicate has also decided to appoint a one-man inquiry commission headed by a retired high court judge or district judge to probe the alleged irregularities in the PG department of education. The commission will be asked to submit its report in a month.

Meanwhile, the Lokayukta police issued a notice to the accused professor asking her to present herself before the Lokayukta SP in Dharwad for an inquiry. Dharwad Lokayukta SP Parashuram said that the notice was sent to the office of the professor but found it locked. However, arrangement would be made to see that the notice reached the accused.

Based on media reports, Lokayukta Justice Y Bhasker Rao had directed ADGP Lokayukta to register a suo motu case and inquire into the charges. ADGP Premshankar Meena in turn had asked Dharwad Lokayukta SP to take necessary action.

Two students one from Hubballi and another from Uttar Pradesh, who were pursing PhD under Noorjahan had complained to the vice-chancellor and registrar of the university that their guide Noorjahan was demanding Rs 4 lakh from them to ensure that they completed their PhD.

They had also submitted recorded conversations and submitted the CD to the registrar. Based on this, the registrar had issued a notice to Noorjahan seeking explanation on the charges. In her reply, the professor denied the allegations and had said that she had nothing to do with the charges.