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TISS Pro-VC Prof Shankar Das told to step down after ‘financial misappropriation’ complaint with Central Vigilance Commission

Prof Shankar Das denied the allegations and said he was 'deeply pained and shocked by the baseless allegations being circulated against him'.

TISS pro-VC told to step down after complaint with Central Vigilance Commission

The complaint reportedly pertains to alleged financial irregularities.

The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) has relieved Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Shankar Das of his administrative responsibilities with immediate effect, following a complaint of financial misappropriation lodged with the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). He will, however, continue as professor until the final inquiry into the allegations is concluded.

According to a notice issued by Narendra Mishra, Registrar, TISS, on June 5, “Consequent upon approval of the Competent Authority, Prof. Shankar Das, Pro-Vice Chancellor, is hereby relieved from the charge of Pro-Vice Chancellor with immediate effect. This is issued with the approval of the competent authority.”

While TISS administration was unavailable for a comment, according to sources within the institution, the action follows preliminary findings by an internal committee formed after the CVC forwarded a complaint submitted by a whistleblower.

“A committee was constituted by the TISS administration after the CVC forwarded the whistleblower’s complaint. During the preliminary phase of the investigation, the committee found merit in the allegations, prompting the decision to relieve Prof Das of his administrative duties to avoid any potential influence on the ongoing inquiry,” a source familiar with the matter said.

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Meanwhile, in a written response to the query sent to him by The Indian Express about the allegations, Prof Das said, “I am deeply pained and shocked by the baseless allegations being circulated against me. After having served this institution with utmost sincerity and dedication for 35 years – as a student, a faculty member, and most recently as Pro Vice-Chancellor – this comes as a grave personal and professional affront.”

“In all these years, my record has remained unblemished. I have consistently upheld the highest standards of integrity and commitment to this institution. The timing and nature of these allegations, especially in the absence of a sitting Vice-Chancellor for the past two years, raise serious concerns and compel me to believe this is a targeted attempt to malign my reputation,” he further said.

Prof Das teaches at the School of Health Systems Studies at TISS. He is known for his work in the public health sector, particularly in primary care and professional education. As TISS is currently awaiting a new full-time Vice-Chancellor, Prof Das was being considered as one of the candidates for the post. Prof Das was also given interim charge of Vice Chancellor of the Gokhle Institute of Politics and Economics in Pune for the past eight months.

Pallavi Smart

Pallavi Smart is a Principal Correspondent with The Indian Express, Mumbai Bureau. Her reporting is singularly focused on the education sector, demonstrating exceptional Expertise and Authority across the entire spectrum of learning, from foundational schooling to advanced higher education. She is a highly Trustworthy source for policy, institutional developments, and systemic issues affecting students, teachers, and parents in Maharashtra. Expertise Senior Role: As a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, her designation reflects her seniority, specialized knowledge, and the editorial rigor applied to her reporting. Core Authority & Specialization: Pallavi Smart is the definitive voice for Education news in the region. Her coverage scope is comprehensive: Policy and Regulatory Changes: Reports on major shifts in educational policy, including the restructuring of entrance exams (e.g., MHT-CET adopting the JEE Main model), the draft regulatory framework for coaching classes, and revised teacher recruitment processes. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs): Provides in-depth reporting on prestigious institutes like IIT Bombay and TISS (Tata Institute of Social Sciences), covering institutional initiatives, administrative debates (e.g., renaming IIT Bombay), and student welfare programs (e.g., mandatory mental health courses). Teachers and Eligibility: Covers crucial issues affecting the teaching fraternity, such as the mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for in-service teachers and related controversies and application numbers. Student Welfare & Rights: Focuses on issues concerning students, including the rollout of government scholarships, the financial strain on schools due to midday meal reimbursement delays, and instances of child rights violations (e.g., the Powai studio hostage crisis). Admissions and Vacancy: Tracks the outcome of centralized admission processes (e.g., MBBS, BPharm) and analyzes vacancy concerns, providing essential data-driven insights for parents and students. Credentials & Trustworthiness Dedicated Beat: Her consistent focus on the "KG to PG" education beat allows her to develop unparalleled subject matter knowledge, ensuring her reports are accurate, detailed, and contextualized. Proactive Reporting: Her articles frequently break news on policy and institutional planning, providing the public with timely, essential information about a sector that directly impacts millions of families. She tweets @Pallavi_Smart ... Read More

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