Goa University Initiates FIR Against Professor for Question Paper Leak
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Synopsis
The Agassaim police have registered an FIR against Pranav Naik, an Assistant Professor at Goa University, for allegedly leaking a question paper to a student. Following a thorough investigation initiated by the university, various charges have been filed, leading to his suspension and further inquiry by government authorities.
Key Takeaways
- FIR filed against Pranav Naik for question paper leak.
- University's investigation initiated with a fact-finding committee.
- Charges of forgery, trespassing, and cheating levied against Naik.
- Government intervention to oversee the inquiry.
- High-level committee formed to probe allegations.
Panaji, March 23 (NationPress) Following a complaint lodged by Goa University, the Agassaim police have filed an FIR against Assistant Professor Pranav Naik of the Physics department, who stands accused of disclosing a question paper to a female student.
The university's statement revealed that the police were instructed to investigate the "unauthorized unlawful activities" attributed to Naik.
The FIR cites various charges against Naik, including forgery with intent to cheat, trespassing, house-breaking, and cheating, as per the complaint submitted by S.N. Dhuri, the Registrar of Goa University.
Professor Dhuri's complaint asserts that Naik illegally created duplicate keys for the cabins of several faculty members, gaining unauthorized access and breaching their privacy while aiding a female student during exams, thus disadvantaging other students.
Earlier, the university announced the establishment of a fact-finding committee tasked with submitting a preliminary report regarding these allegations.
Based on the committee's findings, the university has requested the Agassaim police to proceed with an FIR against Pranav Naik to delve deeper into his unauthorized unlawful activities.
The statement also noted that the university’s Executive Council is set to convene in the last week of March to deliberate on suitable disciplinary measures against the professor.
On Thursday, governmental intervention was initiated to oversee the investigation concerning the alleged paper leak.
As of Friday, charges under sections 336(3), 329(4), 331(3), and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) were filed against Pranav Naik for trespassing and cheating within the Physics Faculty block at Goa University, based on Professor Dhuri's complaint at the Agassaim police station.
The statement emphasized that the matter would be referred to the Disciplinary Authority, specifically the Executive Council.
A meeting for this purpose is scheduled for the final week of March to decide on the appropriate action against Naik.
Pranav Naik, an assistant professor within the School of Physical and Applied Sciences at Goa University, was suspended earlier this week.
Meanwhile, a coalition of activists, spearheaded by Kashinath Shetye and others, has approached the sessions court, urging it to direct the Agassaim police to register an FIR regarding this issue. The case is anticipated to be heard on Monday, following the activists' police complaint filed last week.
The Goa government has established a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the alleged paper leakage by the faculty member and other serious allegations discussed in the media.
This committee is chaired by Justice (retired) R M S Khandeparkar, a former High Court judge, with former DIG Bosco George and Dr. Radhika Nayak, former registrar of Goa University, serving as members. Professor M R K Prasad from Salgaocar Law College acts as the Member Secretary. The committee has been tasked with submitting its report promptly.
