ACP to probe charges against GU V-C

Corruption charges against Gujarat University's vice-chancellor Parimal Trivedi and other officials would be conducted by the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) of the B division of the city.

A local court, on Saturday, allowed a plea moved by the Police Inspector (PI) Gujarat University police station who sought a probe by an ACP level officer.

The PI of Gujarat University police station had moved an application in city civil and sessions court that, "Under section 17 of Prevention of Corruption Act, the charges imposed on the vice-chancellor and other accused can be probed only by Assistant Police Commissioner or Deputy Superintendent Police level officials. We do not have powers to investigate this matter."

On February 8, a local court had ordered inquiry against Trivedi and others accused under section 156(3) in connection with the complaint filed by the suspended professor Pradeep Prajapati.

In his complaint Prajapati alleged, "Parimal Trivedi, in-charge registrar Minesh Shah, an officer Vaishali Padhiyar and one Wilson Printers have committed financial irregularities amounting to Rs1.56 crore.

A contract of printing of examination papers has been illegally given to Wilson Printing Press for the years 2007 to 2011."  He further stated that, "University authorities have withdrawn the fixed deposit of Rs100 crore from State Bank of India. This decision has caused loss of around Rs3 crore to the university as penalty and interest."