Gujarat University's professor Pradeep Prajapati suspended once again

In a unanimous decision, the members of Gujarat University's executive council and academic council approved the suspension of former dean of economic department Pradeep Prajapati. The decision was taken during a meeting of members of both the councils on Saturday. Vice-chancellor Parimal Trivedi who had called for an urgent meeting at 9:30am said that both the councils have approved Prajapati's suspension as professor of economics department.

This is the third time when Prajapati has been suspended from his duties as dean and professor. Just one month back, he was re-instated as professor by the university on humanitarian grounds. At that time, many believed that now there will be truce between him and the VC, as they expected Prajapati to retract his endeavour to file an FIR against the VC on alleged corruption charges. However, Prajapati continued his efforts, which ultimately earned him a third suspension.

According to Trivedi, Prajapati has been suspended on grounds of professional misconduct and negligence of duty as a professor.

"Members of both the varsity's councils found that his activities were deteriorating the varsity's image. During the meeting, members also observed that Prajapati's claims about alleged corruption charges against the VC are also baseless," Trivedi said. The VC also added that being an employee of the university, Prajapati went public with his statements to media, which is against the law of university. "Members also found him guilty for not taking regular lectures and also not preparing question papers on time," he said.

Apart from suspension, members also agreed to revoke his PhD thesis and degree, which will ultimately lead to cancellation of his PhD guideship. To inquire in to the matter of his alleged pilferage of PhD thesis, members also approved a three-member committee to conduct an inquiry. "The committee will submit its report within 15 days. The committee includes Narhari Amin, Dr Mukul Shah and Dr Purushottam Marwania," the VC said.

The members of academic and executive council also agreed to form a committee to inquire in to the other charges against Prajapati. The civil and crime committee of the Gujarat University will listen to all the charges against Prajapati and submit its report. "Deans of various faculties have registered their complaints against Prajapati, some of the charges include mental torture, and violent attack," said the VC.