Suspended Manipur VC fails to appear before probe panel

Suspended vice-chancellor of Manipur University Prof Aditya Prasad Pandey, against whom a probe has been initiated, failed to "appear in person" before the enquiry committee on Wednesday, a statement issued by the panel said here.

The two-member committee had asked him to appear in person for three consecutive days starting Wednesday when all the witnesses will be examined.

The Committee, headed by retired Justice Th Nandakumar of the Meghalaya High Court, was instituted by Ministry of Human Resources Development, to probe the charges of financial and administrative irregularities committed by Pandey.

The Manipur University Students Union (MUSU), the Manipur University Teachers Association (MUTA)and the Manipur University Staff's Association (MUSA) had raised the allegations against the suspended vice-chancellor.

Pandey last week did not accept the notice issued by the committee asking him to appear before it in person and the notice was pasted on the wall of his quarter.

Pandey was suspended by President Ram Nath Kovind in his capacity as the Visitor of the central university on September 17.

The 85-day agitation by MUSU, MUTA and MUSA had paralysed functioning of the Manipur university. The MUSU, MUTA and MUSA are demanding the removal of Pandey alleging administrative and financial irregularities by him.

The agitation ended on August 22 and the university started functioning from August 23 with Pandey proceeding on leave. But resuming of duties by Pandey has further deteriorated the atmosphere of the university, his suspension order by the MHRD has said.