Team Herald
PANJIM: The Executive Council of Goa University on Friday decided to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Dr Pranav Naik, Assistant Professor of Physics at the School of Physical and Applied Sciences. The proceedings will be carried out in accordance with the Goa University statutes and the CCS CCA rules applicable to service matters.
The university has also filed a complaint with Agassaim Police against Dr Naik to facilitate a further investigation into what it has termed unauthorised and unlawful activities allegedly carried out by him.
Earlier, University Vice-Chancellor Prof Harilal Menon had stated that there was no question of paper leakage by Dr Naik. However, he mentioned that the professor had taken some chemicals from the cabin of another assistant professor. The incident reportedly took place in September last year.
The matter escalated when activist Kashinath Shetye and others filed a police complaint on March 16, 2025. This was followed by additional complaints from the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) and the Goa Pradesh Youth Congress at the police station.
Facing public and student pressure, the university placed Dr Naik under suspension on March 17. A two-member fact-finding committee was then constituted, which submitted its report to the Vice-Chancellor and the Governor (who is the Chancellor) on March 19.
The report was presented before the Executive Council on Friday, following which the council decided to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Dr Naik.
Meanwhile, a four-member high-level enquiry committee, constituted to investigate the alleged paper leak, met on Thursday.
The committee has decided to invite information and evidence from various stakeholders, including, student organisations at Goa University, students from the class where the alleged paper leak occurred, teaching faculty of the School of Physics and Applied Sciences, the Dean and Vice-Dean/Head of the Department of the School of Physics and Applied Sciences and any other individuals possessing authentic information regarding the alleged incident.
The committee has requested that all information be submitted in the form of an affidavit in a sealed cover to Dr Gervasio S F L Mendes, the liaison officer, at the Office of the Additional Directorate of Higher Education, Goa Education Complex, Porvorim. Submissions can be made either in person or via speed post by April 1.
MORE TROUBLE IN STORE
Govt constitutes four-member high-level inquiry panel headed by Retd HC Judge Justice RMS Khandeparker to probe issue; committee requests for information in an affidavit form either in person or via Speed Post by April 1