NAGPUR: An inquiry committee constituted by Nagpur University (NU) has found manipulation in the MBA examination held at a college in Gondia, senior officials confirmed.
Subsequently, NU decided to cancel all papers held by the college and schedule their re-exams shortly.
The panel headed by commerce faculty dean Sanjay Kavishwar and Management Council member Urmila Dabir submitted its fact-finding report a couple of days back to vice-chancellor Subhash Chaudhari.
The report indicted a teacher from ‘Kirsan Mission’s College of Management’ allegedly demanding a bribe from students to clear the papers held from May 12 to 18.
After NU had entrusted colleges to hold postgraduate exams due to Covid-19 situation, the college teachers had set, conducted and evaluated the papers.
Quoting complaints filed by the students, TOI had reported how the teacher had allegedly forced them to shell out money for passing them with flying colours.
Some of them had even paid the amount to the teacher.
While refusing to divulge details of the probe panel report, NU Board of Examination and Evaluation director Prafulla Sable told TOI that NU had decided to conduct re-exam of all students, as per the committee’s recommendations.
“The panel questioned all the stakeholders, including the principal and students based on complaints for over two weeks.
Even the teacher who is under the scanner for demanding bribe, was also questioned.
With a view that students shouldn’t be put at loss, we have decided to conduct their re-exam where paper setting and evaluation would be done by NU.” The director added the panel report would be tabled before BoEE for further action.
“It was found that the accused teacher wasn’t on the college’s direct rolls.
We also checked all our records and his name wasn’t found.
It’s now up to the BoEE members to make the decision based on the panel’s recommendations.
The BoEE will soon conduct its emergent meeting in this regard.” Sable, however, made it clear that NU wouldn’t be lodging any police complaint against the teacher and it was the college’s job.
“At the most BoEE can recommend any action against the college, but police complaint is out of NU’s jurisdiction,” he said As per NU officials, the college denied its involvement in any wrongdoings and disowned the teacher.
“Even the teacher concerned had categorically denied the charges.
He said he had asked money from the students for some other work and not for clearing the papers.
He offered various excuses when questioned by the panel.
The panel had asked the college’s management to take care that students, who lodged a complaint against the accused, are not harassed.” The officials said BOEE can impose a hefty penalty on college management for the incident and even recommend action like disaffiliation.
“Since its management members are affiliated to one of the ruling parties in the government, the college would be let off with minor punishment,” they said, adding that NU administration was under pressure in acting against the college.
# Probe panel’s findings * Prima facie teacher demanded bribe from students * Calls made by him to students were also confirmed * He denied demanding bribe saying he sought money for other works * Exams were manipulated, NU must conduct re-exam at the earliest * NU and college to take precautions that complainants aren’t harassed