Two registrars: VC visits police station to lodge complaint

The vice-chancellor of Burdwan University, Professor Shankar Nath, visited Burdwan police station this evening to lodge a formal complaint regarding workplace difficulties.

Professor Nath was seen waiting at the station for nearly 30 minutes before submitting a written complaint to the officer-in-charge, which caused a stir locally. His letter alleged that an official appointed by the state higher education department had assumed the role of registrar at the university without following due protocol.

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However, East Burdwan district police declined to register a case, stating that the matter fell under the jurisdiction of the higher education department.

The vice-chancellor has objected to the appointment of Sujit Kumar Chowdhury, who was reappointed as registrar by the department. Chowdhury had retired from the post in February, but on 2 September, he was reassigned under a 2018 departmental order allowing registrars to continue in service until the age of 62.

Following Chowdhury’s retirement, Arijit Chatterjee was appointed by the university as acting Registrar. Despite this, the higher education department directed Chowdhury to resume charge, a move the vice-chancellor has not endorsed.

Speaking to reporters, Chowdhury said: “I have come to take charge as per instructions from the higher education department, but the university authorities have not permitted me to do so.”