Ministry may go soft on charges against DU V-C

The ministry had issued a showcause notice to Singh on March 17, detailing its allegations against him.

delhi university VC, dinesh singh, HRD ministry, FYUP

HRD Minister Smriti Irani said, “DU has informed (us) that the decisions were taken by the competent authorities in accordance with the Delhi University Act…”

In an indication that it may go easy on some of its charges against Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Dinesh Singh, the Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry on Monday said it has been informed by DU that the decisions were taken by “competent authorities in accordance with the DU Act”.

The ministry was responding to an unstarred question in the Rajya Sabha by CPI(M) MP Ritabrata Banerjee. The MP asked whether the V-C was “bypassing the Academic Council and taking decisions on his own, the details of it and the details of actions initiated against him”.

To this, HRD Minister Smriti Irani said, “DU has informed (us) that the decisions were taken by the competent authorities in accordance with the Delhi University Act…” To the other two questions, Irani has said it “does not arise”.

[related-post]

Story continues below this ad

The ministry had issued a showcause notice to Singh on March 17, detailing its allegations against him, and sought a reply by March 31 on why he should not be dismissed. Singh, however, had denied all charges.

Interestingly, yet another question by Banerjee asks whether Singh was issued a showcause notice, the reasons for it and details of “whether there are serious charges of financial misconduct” against him.

To this, the ministry has said “a showcause notice has been served on Singh in respect of certain acts which constitute misconduct and dereliction of duty”.

The ministry’s responses to both questions, therefore, indicate it is attempting to take a nuanced stance and is likely to drop the FYUP charges against Singh, while emphasising on the allegation of diversion of funds from the OBC expansion grants.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram