Executive Counselling Meeting at Lucknow University

Lucknow University conducted executive counselling meeting on September 24, 2013 to discuss and take decision on Neeraj Kumar matter. Kumar was sacked in October 9, 2002 when a disciplinary committee found him guilty of corruption charges. The court, however, reserved the judgment on Monday.

"The matter is old. A meeting of the disciplinary committee constituted to look into Kumar's case was held. The meeting of the executive council will be held today to take a decision.'' Said LU vice-chancellor SB Nimse
He was also charged with manipulation in admissions, embezzlement of funds, book piracy and swindling employees. There were also charges of sodomy against Kumar. Of the total 17 charges, around eight were found true. He had then also challenged the decision saying he was not given an opportunity of self -defence and that one of the members opted out of the committee, so the recommendation had no legal stand.

In his defence, Kumar said, "Governor's decision is highly ambiguous. On one hand, he has asked to reconsider my promotion to professor's post and on the other hand, he has asked the university to complete the proceedings of the disciplinary committee. The committee is yet to submit its report. Where was the urgency to take the decision? He should have waited for the outcome.''

The immediate move from the university comes after the governor found Kumar guilty of plagiarism and directed the university authorities to reconsider his promotion to professor's post. The governor has also instructed the university to complete the proceedings of the disciplinary committee constituted to look into Kumar's case. University officials said Kumar has been keeping away from committee members for long.

According to the inquiry committee comprising CL Khetrapal of Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, KC Gupta of IIT -R and NBRI director CS Nautiyal, Kumar's research paper 'Human Dilemmas of Leaderships' was copied. The original author of the work is Abraham Zaleznik, a Harvard business school professor.

Governor Vishnukant Shastri suggested LU to conduct a fresh inquiry and gave Kumar a chance to present his defence and reconsider his suspension.
The matter kept deferring over years. Prior to Kumar's suspension in 2002, the governor has quashed Kumar's appointment as reader in the department of business administration on grounds that he scored third division in graduation, said university officials. Kumar has, however, approached court and obtained a stay. The matter is pending. In April 2012, Kumar was reinstated into the university. Kumar served as head, business administration department from the year 1997-98.

Happy with the governor's intervention, a former LU VC said, "Plagiarism has been accepted as a norm in the university. Such frauds are taken up very lightly. But if one such case sees a logical end, other teachers will at least think twice before indulging in it.''

Source: Brain Victor Solomon, click4college Specialist